tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44837114805700481182024-02-19T18:25:50.142+02:00The End SAMonkey Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783066941153575919noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-34200188366076490292009-08-15T19:11:00.000+02:002009-08-15T19:35:57.904+02:00District 9 Interview<span class="teaser"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 200px;" src="http://screenrant.com/wp-content/uploads/district-9-trailer.jpg" alt="District 9 Poster" border="0" /><p>Recently I got a chance to interview Sharlto Copley and Neill Blomkamp of District 9 for <a href="http://thesurf.ca">The Surf</a>.</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">Recently I got a chance to interview Sharlto Copley and Neill Blomkamp of District 9 for <a href="http://thesurf.ca">The Surf</a>.<br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZpBTGFLSYdY&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZpBTGFLSYdY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /></p><p>We discussed the failed Halo project, 8-bit Halo, potential sequels/prequels and American accents.</p></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-21770809093287380962009-08-08T22:06:00.000+02:002009-08-08T22:23:56.824+02:00Iron Man 2 Footage Leaked<span class="teaser"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Y2ejNf2BSe4NRq7XKG7us0ssbzGYUm2UlA8wSbjiNGVvb4PunwuQQbi4I2z3vsS5Ge3Fb0TFnArHN7N3Ajp4NHm7oba1M1eT-mRiY9iaNgDVhfTZPzwN-2b1VEHFO3NkD4GWDL6pvyEz/s220-h/The_End_Rob.jpg" alt="" border="0" />The Iron Man 2 Teaser footage from Comic Con has been leaked on YouTube. This won't be up long so you better watch it while you can.</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />If the video below isn't working it means Marvel or Paramount had it yanked. <br /><center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XtiNT1_Zayk&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XtiNT1_Zayk&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-41025507119450643642008-06-11T21:33:00.001+02:002008-06-11T21:33:38.539+02:00Favreau Made an Offer for Iron Man 2<p><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="234" alt="Are the pieces coming together for Iron Man 2?" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/rob.j.scott/SFAokVHSIPI/AAAAAAAAAmI/B9uIoaHWev4/Iron_Man_lego%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" align="left" border="0" />Nikki Finke is reporting that <a href="http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/regarding-all-those-iron-man-2-rumors/" target="_blank">Marvel Studios have officially made Jon Favreau an offer</a> to direct Iron Man 2. The big question now is weather or not he will take it. At the Hulk premier <a href="http://www.superherohype.com/news/ironmannews.php?id=7318" target="_blank">Favreau revealed that he is unhappy</a> with the planned release date for the sequel. </p> <p>Now In order for a Favreau directed sequel to happen one of the groups has to bend, either Marvel has to change the release date or Favreau has to jump on board with the small amount of time to pull the project together.</p> <p>Lets hope they can make things work.</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-26324381717169252302008-05-20T19:15:00.001+02:002008-05-20T19:15:16.756+02:00Does The Hollywood Reporter Only Employ Idiots?<span class="teaser"><p><img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px" height="211" src="http://www.heise.de/ct/Redaktion/cm/reporter.jpg" width="200" align="left" />Who says cost cutting and synergy don't effect the quality of journalistic output. Take a look at what this mook from the Hollywood Reporter did. </p></span> <span class="fullpost"><p><img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px" height="385" src="http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2007/12/10/indiana-jones-crystal-skull.jpg" width="260" align="left" />I came across this <a href="http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/080520/entertainment/entertainment_boxoffice_col" target="_blank">completely useless piece of box office analysis</a> on <em>Yahoo!</em> that originates from <em>The Hollywood Reporter.</em> </p> <p>Journalist Carl DiOrio tries to put the opening of <em>Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull</em> in perspective by arguing that its projected opening of more than $150 million may topple the record held by <em>Spiderman 3</em> of $151.1 million.</p> <p>There is of course one big problem with this analysis, which DiOrio is at least smart enough to pick up on:</p> <blockquote> <p>That would put "Skull" on course to surpass the "Spider-Man 3" opening of $151.1 million in May 2007 -- with a big asterisk, given that Spidey reached that level in three days.</p> </blockquote> <p>Yes, <em>Spiderman 3</em> did reach that level in 3 days but this isn’t the 1961 Baseball season. It is pretty standard boxoffice practice to compare 5 day grosses with 5 day grosses and opening weekend grosses with opening weekend grosses – not some crazy case of apples, oranges and asterisks. </p> <p>If DiOrio was some random commentator this could be forgiven but to be a professional journalist and not even take the time to do some of that research stuff – inexcusable. </p> <p>Oh but wait there is more, it’s not like this is some guy working for the KwaZulu Natal <em>Mercury</em>, which has other topics to focus on – this guy is working for <em>The Hollywood Reporter</em>, which specializes in the film trade.</p> <p>And the extra research he needed to do to make his article relevant? All he had to do was go to boxofficemojo.com, click all time under the boxoffice tab and then select <a href="http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/grossbydays.htm?days=5&p=.htm" target="_blank">5 day openings</a>. Is that all too hard for a professional journalist?</p> <p>Anyway, here are the real stats that Crystal Skull has to compete with to get into the record books:</p> <center> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="400" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="297"><a href="http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=daily&id=starwars3.htm"><b>Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith</b></a></td> <td valign="top" width="102"><b>$172,802,507</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="297"><a href="http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=daily&id=piratesofthecaribbean2.htm"><b>Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest</b></a></td> <td valign="top" width="102"> <p><b>$169,506,744</b></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="297"><a href="http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=daily&id=spiderman3.htm"><b>Spider-Man 3</b></a></td> <td valign="top" width="102"> <p><b>$169,444,466</b></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="297"><a href="http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=daily&id=spiderman2.htm"><b>Spider-Man 2</b></a></td> <td valign="top" width="102"> <p><b>$152,411,751</b></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="297"><a href="http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=daily&id=piratesofthecaribbean3.htm"><b>Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End</b></a></td> <td valign="top" width="102"><b>$147,591,127</b></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </center> <p> </p> <p>So Indy needs to get more than $172.8 million to become the new 5 day champ, <a href="http://news.fantasymoguls.com/originalcontent/2008/05/review-updated.html" target="_blank">a fete Steve Mason thinks it can accomplish</a>.</p></span> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-30396657294474901522008-05-17T17:50:00.001+02:002008-05-17T17:50:00.267+02:00$51M-$60M Weekend for Caspian = Very Disappointing<p><img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px" height="129" src="http://www.worststore.com/previews/images/thechroniclesofnarniaprincecaspian.gif" width="200" align="left" />Saturday reports place Caspian slightly better then <a href="http://theendsa.blogspot.com/2008/05/has-prince-caspian-got-stage-fright.html" target="_blank">earlier reported</a>. With reports ranging from a <a href="http://news.fantasymoguls.com/originalcontent/2008/05/early-weekend-n.html" target="_blank">$18M Friday and a $51M weekend</a> to a <a href="http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/first-place-narnia-2-falls-short-friday/" target="_blank">$19M Friday and a $60M weekend</a> the film looks like a major disappointment.</p> <p>Some film suits are going to be having severe heart palpitations for the rest of the weekend and praying for a summer miracle.</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-2390681729931085342008-05-17T06:44:00.001+02:002008-05-17T17:50:43.011+02:00Has Prince Caspian Got Stage Fright?<p><img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px" height="297" src="http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/MMPO/505641~Chronicles-of-Narnia-Prince-Caspian-Posters.jpg" width="200" align="left" />Early Box Office reports say that the big budget fantasy sequel, <em></em><a href="http://news.fantasymoguls.com/originalcontent/2008/05/early-weekend-n.html" target="_blank">The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, may be off to a shaky start in the US</a>. It looks as thought the film will only gross around $17.5 million for Friday and possibly a dismal $51M-$56M opening weekend. Is this figure holds (which is sketchy this early) it means <em>Caspian</em> will have fallen far short of the <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080516/film_nm/narnia_dc" target="_blank">$75M-$80M it was expected to make</a> with ease and even less than the $65.6M opening weekend of the first <em>Narnia</em> film.</p> <p>With the new <em>Indiana Jones</em> film around the corner and the Summer being far more concentrated than the previous films December release it looks like it will be an uphill struggle for this to out gross the original. The film will probably still do big business internationally. </p> <p>Iron Man on the other hand is looking to have another good hold and may be able to crack $300M during its run.</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-49276089976256762452008-05-16T19:21:00.001+02:002008-05-16T19:21:09.775+02:00Spiderman 4 and 5 to be Shot Together<p><img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px" height="253" src="http://incolor.inebraska.com/stuart/spiderman/spiderman1.jpg" width="200" align="left" /><em><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/16/scoop-spider-man-4-and-5-might-be-shot-at-the-same-time/" target="_blank">Cinematical</a></em> are reporting that Spiderman 4 and 5 will be filmed together. Apparently screenwriter, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0888743/">James Vanderbilt</a> (<em>Zodiac</em>), has turned in his working draft of Spidey 4 and the story arc spans over two films. Sony are interested in filming both at the same time probably to save some money and maximize profits. </p> <p>If the rumours are true it will be interesting to see if Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst return or if the studio will bring in some new blood for the franchise.</p> <p>Any thoughts on which villain(s) could encompass a two film story?</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-77288193553956683772008-05-14T18:51:00.001+02:002008-05-14T18:51:48.741+02:003rd Incredible Hulk Trailer<span class="teaser"><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/rob.j.scott/SCsYnEc43JI/AAAAAAAAAlA/ddtPUg8SvMY/s1600-h/smart_hulk_toy%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="267" alt="smart_hulk_toy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/rob.j.scott/SCsYnkc43KI/AAAAAAAAAlI/LumQyvJ7P1s/smart_hulk_toy_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" align="left" border="0" /></a>The New Hulk Trailer came out with Speed Racer and The Hulk is looking better.</p></span><span class="fullpost"> <center> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/rob.j.scott/SCsYoUc43LI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/R325cJG_Izc/s1600-h/Hulk_Betty_Rain%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="233" alt="Hulk_Betty_Rain" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/rob.j.scott/SCsYo0c43MI/AAAAAAAAAlY/yCP0AHumPl8/Hulk_Betty_Rain_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" border="0" /></a> </p> </center> <p><a href="http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=7201" target="_blank">Superhero Hype</a> have posted a new Incredible Hulk Trailer. I'm not sure if it's because it's low quality but the Hulk is looking much better. Now that Iron Man has come out this is the film I am most interested in seeing because unlike The Dark Knight and Hellboy 2 it is unknown if this film will be good. The uncertainty of the project, mixed with the <a href="http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/edward-norton-vs-marvel-part-2/" target="_blank">behind the scenes drama</a>  make me curious if this will be a slam dunk or an utter failure. Here is the newest trailer:</p> <center> <p></p> <div class="wlWriterSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:b46c53d2-6465-410b-bc87-3f148da264ec" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px"><div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WOivEZGFpEY&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WOivEZGFpEY&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div></div> <p></p> </center> <p>The shot with the Hulk and Betty sitting in what looks like a cave while it is raining (this was in the last trailer as well) is what gives me hope for this project. That shot and a few others are classic imagery from the Hulk mythology. My one big gripe is Norton turning into the Hulk while he is strapped to the bed - it looks like the scene in Scooby Doo when Scrappy turned into a monster - disappointing.</p> <p>Unfortunately, this trailer came out with <em>Speed Racer</em> so hardly anyone will have seen it. Let's hope it's also attached to The Crystal Skull or Prince Caspian.</p></span> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-60694110252159243402008-05-08T19:34:00.001+02:002008-05-08T20:18:21.122+02:00W - Oliver Stone's George Bush Movie<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/rob.j.scott/SCM5mJCTJvI/AAAAAAAAAkw/DIhMa34kCzA/s1600-h/george_Bush%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="257" alt="george_Bush" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/rob.j.scott/SCM5mZCTJwI/AAAAAAAAAk4/IE7CoBEEqXc/george_Bush_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>EW has the <em><a href="http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20198476,00.html" target="_blank">first look at Oliver Stone's new project, W</a> </em>(or <i>dub-ya</i>), about US president George W. Bush. </p> <p>The film will undoubtedly cause controversy - since it may be released in early October during the height of the presidential campaign and Stone says it will be a ''fair, true portrait of the man,'' which is enough to give Republicans concern. </p> <p>Josh Brolin will be in the title role which could make or break his floundering career, which is currently enjoying a bit of an up tick. </p> <p>Look for the film to be turn out more as a comedy with Stone arguing that Bush is like a reverse Gatsby. "This movie can be funnier because Bush is funny. He's awkward and goofy and makes faces all the time." It could score at the Int.boxoffice. </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-6938801508357142122008-04-24T15:36:00.001+02:002008-04-24T15:38:02.377+02:00That's Pretty Racist Juno<span class="teaser"> <p><img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px" height="150" src="http://blogs.nypost.com/movies/photos/jannnnney.jpg" width="200" align="left" />Yes, we are going to attack the heart-warming movie of the moment with racist allegations. We are just that bitter. Would you like some gum?</p> </span><span class="fullpost"><center> <p><img style="margin: 0px" src="http://www.rabbireport.com/archives/2007/09/13/Juno 1.jpg" /></p> </center> <p>I just got another hate comment on the <a href="http://theendsa.blogspot.com/2007/08/transformers-racism-sexism-and.html">racism in Transformers</a> post and remembered how much fun it is to get all the clan lovers riled up. I decided I should point out some more racist action in the film industry and remembered I was planning on writing a post about <em>Juno</em> in December but never got around to it.</p> <p>I won’t bore you with the whole I loved the movie I’m a huge Jason Reitman speech – I’ll just get straight to the point.</p> <p>When they started marketing the film I was pretty pissed off to find out that it stole one of my signature lines – using Morgan Freeman as an arbitrary conversation point. Ask Viggly or Stelloh, they’ve heard me over the years use Morgan Freeman for al kinds of crap. Take the following pointless examples:</p> <blockquote> <p>Person: Is that you Rob? <br />Me: No, it’s Morgan Freeman. (this is basically what the film used) </p> <p>Person: You’ll never guess who I saw last night? <br />Me: Morgan Freeman. </p> <p>Person: Hey, guess who Marcus scored last night? <br />Me: Morgan Freeman. </p> <p>Person: What’s the capital of Brazil? <br />Me: Morgan Freeman. </p> <p><i>I accidentally stub my toe.</i> <br />Me: Morgan ‘Fucking’ Freeman that hurt! </p> </blockquote> <p>Basically there was a point in my life where I’d just use Morgan Freeman as the answer to any question. Obviously, Juno (or more precisely Diablo Cody) didn’t steal it form me. But after <em>Juno</em> - especially since it’s grossed a ludicrous amount of cash and almost everyone will have seen it within the next year - I can’t use the phrase anymore without looking like a lame <em>Juno</em> imitator.</p> <p>Anyway, back to the racism. Juno’s line in the film is something like, “No, It’s Morgan Freeman, need any bones collected?” Hello, Morgan Freeman wasn’t in <i>The Bone Collector </i>or has never played someone that’s trade mark is collecting bones. The person in question is Denzel Washington. </p> <p>Now that’s quite an oversite. That would be like mistaking Brad Pitt (younger white actor in his prime) for Jack Nicholson (Old established white actor). So who ever is responsible for that line seems to think that all black people look the same. That’s just racist.</p> <p>What are they planning on saying in <i>Juno 2: Attack of the Abandoned Baby</i>:</p> <blockquote> <p>Friend: Is this Juno?</p> <p>Juno: No, It’s Martin Lawrence, is Billy Bob Thornton around so I can have academy award winning depressed sex with him? </p> </blockquote> <p>Here are a couple of lines Juno could have said that would not have been racist:</p> <blockquote> <p>No it’s Morgan Freeman…</p> <ul> <li>Have any old women that need to be driven around? </li> <li>Any young Jack Ryan’s there for me to mentor? </li> <li>Have you seen Betty? </li> <li>Do you think my eyebrows looked ridiculous in <i>Dreamcatcher</i>? </li> <li>Know any junkies whose kids I can steal? </li> <li>Would you like to build an Ark? </li> <li>Have you seen that tall drink of water with the silver spoon up his ass? </li> </ul> </blockquote> <p>Oh, and here is a drinking game you can play with the whole family. Pop the <i>Juno</i> DVD in and every time you see a black person have a drink. While you have fun playing that I’m going to have to come up with another celebrity name to use as my trademark.</p> </span> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-49677919677123379082008-04-23T15:36:00.001+02:002008-04-23T15:36:50.289+02:00Bear Almost Kills Will Ferrell<p><img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px" src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080423/capt.d9b20345787b4eca979d1b5bab2295bd.grizzly_attack_ny109.jpg?x=229&y=345&sig=utT2rE6wVWwrKJz.Ibx.sw--" align="left" />In what can only be called a tragedy, "the best working bear in the business" <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080423/ap_en_mo/grizzly_attack" target="_blank">killed his trainer</a>. Rocky, the bear in question wrestled Will Ferrell in <em>Semi-Pro</em> (thus, if he had snapped months earlier he could have killed Ferrell - if Farrell hadn't used a stunt double). </p> <p>Stephen Miller, 39, was participating in a training exercise with Rocky (the bear) and 3 other trainers when Rocky turned on him. </p> <p>Rocky's fate is currently unknown but he'll probably be euthanized. </p> <p>Stephen Colbert is bound to have something to say about this, since for years he has maintained that bears are the greatest threat to civilization. </p> <p>Before you throw away your teddy bear and lose all faith in the species, <a href="http://www.todaysbigthing.com/2008/04/16" target="_blank">click here</a>, it may change your mind. "I can't believe he's really twisting the stick!" What is this an infomercial?</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Monkey Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783066941153575919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-22454779352445740982008-04-22T01:47:00.001+02:002008-04-22T01:47:45.585+02:00How Low Can You Go? US Presidential Candidates on WWE Raw<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/The.End.SA/SA0nmYeoCTI/AAAAAAAAAOo/Ivh4sMdQqCI/s1600-h/John_McCaine_WWE%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="328" alt="John_McCaine_WWE" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/The.End.SA/SA0nm4eoCUI/AAAAAAAAAOw/OiVXtRFylW0/John_McCaine_WWE_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" align="left" border="0" /></a> In what can only be called a new low in American politics all three presidential candidates will deliver a taped video message, which will be played <em><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080421/ap_en_tv/tv_wwe_candidates" target="_blank">live on the WWE's Monday Night Raw</a></em>. </p> <p>The candidates won't just be delivering an election message but a wrestling inspired smack down. Clinton will call herself Hillrod (surprisingly not the Bosnian Sniper Dodger), Obama wants you to smell what he's cooking (I'm not sure but it smells like cheese) and McCaine says you have to beat the man (but obviously means member). </p> <p>Appearing on a show that promotes sexism and homophobia but at the same time features a bunch of men sweating, moaning and grabbing each other in outfits that can only otherwise be seen at  gay pride parades or one of Deon Malan's parties, doesn't exactly generate confidence in the candidates. </p> <p>Way to get the white trash vote and the rest of the world rushing off to purchase nuclear bunkers. We're fucked.</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Monkey Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783066941153575919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-12826213870617117742008-04-19T19:09:00.001+02:002008-04-19T20:32:28.889+02:00Kill People the Green Way<span class="teaser"> <p><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="177" alt="playmobil_nun_with_gun" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/The.End.SA/SAonOA-qoKI/AAAAAAAAANA/_bCX9wv7qRs/playmobil_nun_with_gun%5B11%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" align="left" border="0" />What do churches, bullets and toys have in common? If you said toast you should consider getting a metal health check up, otherwise read on.</p> </span><span class="fullpost"> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/The.End.SA/SAonOQ-qoLI/AAAAAAAAANI/jD-9h-8mYxg/s1600-h/shooting_target%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="307" alt="shooting_target" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/The.End.SA/SAonOg-qoMI/AAAAAAAAANQ/7L7-5_iMrvw/shooting_target_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" align="left" border="0" /></a>We've all heard about people steeling the copper telephone wire in developing countries and how this wouldn't happen in respectable developed countries. Well it is happening there too.</p> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/08/business/worldbusiness/08metal.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&ref=world" target="_blank">England has a lead theft problem</a>. Thieves are peeling strips of lead off church tops to sell on the black market. The clergy, of course, are renowned for their large supply of lead or as Leonardo de Vinci said, "If you want gold and women become a King. If you want lead and children become a priest." </p> <p>Why steal lead? Because lead shortages and high Chinese demand have pushed up the price of lead to all time highs. </p> <p>That's right that lead painted G.I. Joe your kid is sucking on isn't only killing him slowly it's pushing up the price of lead <em>(China just banned our blog for that comment, which is impressive since I haven't even posted it yet - those guys are really on the ball)</em>. Do you know what else they use to make lead with? </p> <p>Bullets. Ammo costs have gone up and supply has dwindled (supply and demand go figure). <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/27/AR2007082701793.html" target="_blank">Some blame this on the Iraqi war</a> but here is the real culprit:</p> <p><img style="margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px" src="http://3gwmuq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pzFHbCsN_FkoSlv6lP7NFPH51ZavDQC5U8jM9Ru9dgvpKvnNGqdyDpYzMsPgcdlbJ_bXHGMItSCk/rambo_gun.gif" align="left" /> This is a live webcam of John Rambo. He is in some developing country and all he does all day is fire off endless rounds at developing soldiers. Aside from being quite the marksman (look at those headshots) and spreading democracy ("the bullet is the truest means of voting"  - George W.), Rambo is also pushing bullet costs up to the extreme. Someone needs to stop this man and get him to go from that, to this:</p> <center> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="540" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="180"><img src="http://3gwmuq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pzFHbCsN_Fkr3sVhTeilY9bSnaBPQNHStzJeHNf7S0uKUwD_uOfkx5XtCHL-3ZCfxqhjmHZY8_9g/rambo_knife.gif" /> </td> <td valign="top" width="180"><img src="http://3gwmuq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pzFHbCsN_FkqQaYTEKjIEQykrNPUXj0oVC54mGOo8Jct5HTffNzMr6dbUc3Gr3AS6Wy8mikyaPn4/rambo_neck.gif" /> </td> <td valign="top" width="180"><img src="http://3gwmuq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pzFHbCsN_FkrIqKoFDDHIivfW8YfdAg0kOHdQXCVanj14_BallOf0pjZf86rIhywi2xKo8pVDPGo/rambo_arrow.gif" /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </center> <p>Yes, John Rambo there are green alternatives to killing and decapitating developing soldiers and generally spreading the goodwill of democracy, why don't you start using them?</p> <p>Until someone does teach Rambo to kill in a cost effective manner Police are having to reduce <a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/mostread/s_522822.html" target="_blank">the amount of target practice</a> their recruits can get. That's right police are going to get worse at aiming. Which is not what we need when we are faced with an <a href="http://theendsa.blogspot.com/2008/04/just-expressing-end-of-world.html">invasion of the Cow-Men™ /Gator-Men™</a> coalition. </p> <p>If you want to find out more about rising metal prices and supply and demand visit <a href="http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/15/ammu-nomics/" target="_blank">Freakonomics</a>.</p> <p><em>Note: Due to a massive demand in truth from the general public and the miniscule supply coming from the press, politicians and big business the cost of truth is at an all time high. Unfortunately The End SA cannot afford these prices and cannot guarantee that this article is 100% true.</em></p> </span> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Monkey Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783066941153575919noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-47566631789593801952008-04-18T20:56:00.001+02:002008-04-18T20:56:30.320+02:00Man-Crush: Jason Segal<span class="teaser"><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/rob.j.scott/SAju2uOvvOI/AAAAAAAAAkI/2l_I7Fa5W5k/s1600-h/Sarah_Marshall_Poster%5B12%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="293" alt="Sarah_Marshall_Poster" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/rob.j.scott/SAju3eOvvPI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/9my-O3M4fD0/Sarah_Marshall_Poster_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" align="left" border="0" /></a>This weekend <em>Forgetting Sarah Marshall</em> opens in the states, which could mean big things for that life sized teddy bear of a man - Jason Segal.</p></span><span class="fullpost"><center> <p><img src="http://www.givememyremote.com/remote/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/forgetting-sarah-marshall.jpg" /></p> </center> <p>Yes, I have a man crush on Jason Segal. Does that make me lame? I don’t care. </p> <p>The goofy 6ft 4” actor first caught my attention in the Judd Apatow (<i>40-Year-Old Virgin</i>, <i>Knocked Up</i>) created show <i>Undeclared</i>. Segal wasn’t a series regular but the episodes with him as the psycho boyfriend were the best of the short lived series. After all what is funnier than a guy who gives his girlfriend a pillow with his face printed on it? <i>Note: This is also a favourite seduction technique of Deon Malan.</i></p> <p><i></i></p> <p>After seeing <i>Undeclared</i> I learned of the cult classic, which preceded it, <i>Freaks and Geeks</i>. Also produced by Judd Apatow and featuring Seth Rogan this great ode to 80’s and high school culture, was probably the best high-school series ever created. The fact that this show didn’t have a second season was a major bummer. </p> <p>This time around Segal played Nick, a stoner drummer with no rhythm, who seemed to think the bigger the drum kit the better the drummer. Once again Segal played an overly obsessive boyfriend who has no understanding of boundaries. </p> <p>Then Segal hit some prime time stability with <i>How I Met Your Mother</i>, one of the freshest sitcoms on TV. As Marshall Eriksen he plays less of a psycho and more of the general nice guy but is still milking the child like vulnerability for everything its worth.</p> <p>Now due to the miracle of the Apatow power train (coming off two miss-fires with <i>Walk-Hard </i>and <i>Drillbit Taylor</i>) Segal gets to write and star in his own movie without any major Hollywood success. </p> <p>Riding in his favour is that <i>Forgetting Sarah Marshall</i> is receiving very good reviews and the studio has executed a successful guerrilla marketing plan. In fact it’s going to be one of the few films in wide release that is <a href="Yes, I have a man crush on Jason Segal. Does that make me lame? I don’t care. " target="_blank">fresh on Rotten Tomatoes</a>. </p> <p>On the negative side the trailers have not been ridiculously hilarious, although most of Apatow’s films have saved the laughs for the film and not the trailer. Also the film probably has a lot of R rated jokes that can’t make the trailer. Segal does do some full fontal nudity in the film for one thing.</p> <p>It opens this weekend and analysts are predicting a 15m-16m opening in second place behind the Jacki Chan/Jet Li vehicle <i>The Forbidden Kingdom</i>. Let’s hope that Forgetting Sarah Marshall proves them wrong. Why? Because Jason Segal fucking rules.</p></span> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-35121819118424066432008-04-18T19:36:00.001+02:002008-04-18T19:40:02.496+02:00Just Expressing - The End of the World<span class="teaser"> <p><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="226" alt="killer_aligator_men" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/rob.j.scott/SAjcAeOvvLI/AAAAAAAAAkA/sEoBZgBjRZ4/killer_aligator_men%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" align="left" border="0" /> Global warming - Global smorming. There is something much bigger danger approaching and it is going to lead to the end of all humanity (including Facebook)! Find out what it is - and no it's not a Lego invasion.</p> </span><span class="fullpost"><center> <p><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="283" alt="The_Evil_Alliance" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/rob.j.scott/SAjcBeOvvNI/AAAAAAAAAkE/V8FI6oSRSFc/The_Evil_Alliance%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="540" border="0" /></p> </center> <p>I was rummaging through the <a href="http://www.rommelacebedo.com/" target="_blank">opinions and thoughts</a> of Rommel Acebedo, who has an interesting blog by the way – give it a look (crisp layout), and discovered a post claiming that alligator blood is now going to be used as an antibiotic. Here is the skinny:</p> <blockquote> <p>Biochemists from McNeese State University have described how proteins in gator blood may provide a source of powerful new antibiotics to help fight infections associated with diabetic ulcers and severe burns. This new class of drug could also crack so-called ’superbugs’ that are resistant to conventional medication. Previous studies have showed alligators have an unusually strong immune system; unlike humans, alligator immune systems can defend against microorganisms such as fungi, viruses, and bacteria without having prior exposure to them. Scientists believe that this is an evolutionary adaptation to promote quick wound healing, as alligators are often injured during fierce territorial battles.</p> </blockquote> <p>Brings a whole new meaning to the term Gator Aid. This sounds a little too familure to something else, probably this:</p> <blockquote> <p>Connors developed an experimental serum taken from reptilian DNA. He successfully regrew the missing limb of a rabbit and then, despite the warnings of his wife Martha, chose to test it on himself. Connors ingested the formula and his missing arm did indeed grow back. The formula had a horrible side effect; Connors was subsequently transformed into a reptilian humanoid monster. (from Wikipedia)</p> </blockquote> <p>Yes this alligator DNA bears a striking resemblance to the origin of the Spiderman villain The Lizard. We all know what that means. Now, not only do we have to worry about the army of Cow-Men™ that Monkey Boy has mentioned, but also an invasion of Gator-Men™. </p> <p>What if these two join forces? Together they can storm the land and sea. We will be forced to live in planes and with airline service the way it is, it might just be a better option to battle the genetic freaks. </p> <p>Thanks for the heads up Rommel. We’ve been warned world.</p> </span> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-89191721413015384122008-04-18T18:12:00.001+02:002008-04-19T22:50:06.456+02:00GI Joe Costumes look like Fantasy Sex Outfits<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/The.End.SA/SAjIdrzFqyI/AAAAAAAAAMw/C5P_KHRnnJ0/s1600-h/GI_Joe%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="283" alt="GI_Joe" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/The.End.SA/SAjIfbzFqzI/AAAAAAAAAM4/k0Hz0fEPMog/GI_Joe_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" align="left" border="0" /></a> Yes, this may look like a cheap role playing sex costume but it's actually a 1st look at Karolina Korkova as Cover Girl, in the new G.I Joe movie.</p> <p><a href="http://www.wwtdd.com/post.phtml?pk=5103" target="_blank">What Would Tyler Durden Do has an exclusive 1st look</a> at the new character pics from the film. Including more images of Rachel Nichols as Scarlett and Ray Park as Snake Eyes as well as the first shots of Channing Tatum as Duke, Marlon Wayans as Ripcord,  Byung-hun Lee as Storm Shadow, Sienna Miller as The Baroness, and Dennis Quaid as General Hawk. </p> <span class="teaser"> <p>See the shots...</p> </span><span class="fullpost"> <p>The shots seem to be pretty raw - you can still see Rachel Nichols acne scars. Also they look pretty stupid (especially Quaid), which is disappointing because the 1st shots of Park were great. It looks like they want to get a Playboy tie in to reduce the budget. No hope for these troops when the <a href="http://theendsa.blogspot.com/2008/04/introducing-cow-man-scientists-make.html">cows attack</a>.</p> <center> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/The.End.SA/SApWtg-qoVI/AAAAAAAAAOY/GNLgS-2Ozfw/s1600-h/real_GIJOE_Porn%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="268" alt="real_GIJOE_Porn" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/The.End.SA/SApWuA-qoWI/AAAAAAAAAOg/tuf4djAgNeE/real_GIJOE_Porn_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="540" border="0" /></a> </p> </center> <p><em>UPDATE: </em>Durden has removed the shots due to Universal threatening them but <a href="http://www.nightly.net/featured/pictures-of-full-cast-of-gi-joe-leaked/" target="_blank">Nightly.net</a> still have them up. Which also means I was right about these being untouched shots. Here are the thumbnails below.</p> <center> <p><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_the_baroness_3.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5473" title="gijoe_the_baroness_3" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_the_baroness_3-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_the_baroness_2.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5472" title="gijoe_the_baroness_2" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_the_baroness_2-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_the_baroness_1.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5471" title="gijoe_the_baroness_1" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_the_baroness_1-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_storm_shadow_baroness_3.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5470" title="gijoe_storm_shadow_baroness_3" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_storm_shadow_baroness_3-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_storm_shadow_baroness_2.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5469" title="gijoe_storm_shadow_baroness_2" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_storm_shadow_baroness_2-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_storm_shadow_baroness_1.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5468" title="gijoe_storm_shadow_baroness_1" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_storm_shadow_baroness_1-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_snake_eyes_6.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5467" title="gijoe_snake_eyes_6" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_snake_eyes_6-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_snake_eyes_5.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5466" title="gijoe_snake_eyes_5" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_snake_eyes_5-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_snake_eyes_4.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5465" title="gijoe_snake_eyes_4" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_snake_eyes_4-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_snake_eyes_3.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5464" title="gijoe_snake_eyes_3" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_snake_eyes_3-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_snake_eyes_2.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5463" title="gijoe_snake_eyes_2" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_snake_eyes_2-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_snake_eyes_1.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5462" title="gijoe_snake_eyes_1" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_snake_eyes_1-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_scarlett_6.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5461" title="gijoe_scarlett_6" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_scarlett_6-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_scarlett_4.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5460" title="gijoe_scarlett_4" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_scarlett_4-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_scarlett_3.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5459" title="gijoe_scarlett_3" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_scarlett_3-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_scarlett_2.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5458" title="gijoe_scarlett_2" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_scarlett_2-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_ripcord_1.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5478" title="gijoe_ripcord_1" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_ripcord_1-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_ripcord_4.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5456" title="gijoe_ripcord_4" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_ripcord_4-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_ripcord_3.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5455" title="gijoe_ripcord_3" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_ripcord_3-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_ripcord_2.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5454" title="gijoe_ripcord_2" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_ripcord_2-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_general_hawk_4.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5453" title="gijoe_general_hawk_4" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_general_hawk_4-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_general_hawk_3.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5452" title="gijoe_general_hawk_3" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_general_hawk_3-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_general_hawk_2.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5451" title="gijoe_general_hawk_2" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_general_hawk_2-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_general_hawk_1.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5450" title="gijoe_general_hawk_1" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_general_hawk_1-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_duke_3.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5449" title="gijoe_duke_3" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_duke_3-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_duke_2.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5448" title="gijoe_duke_2" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_duke_2-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_duke_1.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5447" title="gijoe_duke_1" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_duke_1-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_cover_girl_5.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5446" title="gijoe_cover_girl_5" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_cover_girl_5-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_cover_girl_4.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5445" title="gijoe_cover_girl_4" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_cover_girl_4-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_cover_girl_3.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5444" title="gijoe_cover_girl_3" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_cover_girl_3-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_cover_girl_2.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5443" title="gijoe_cover_girl_2" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_cover_girl_2-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_cover_girl_1.jpg" rel="shadowbox[5441]"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-5442" title="gijoe_cover_girl_1" height="150" alt="" src="http://www.nightly.net/z/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/gijoe_cover_girl_1-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a></p> </center></span> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Monkey Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783066941153575919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-12169817435590979982008-04-18T04:04:00.001+02:002008-04-18T04:04:57.350+02:00What to Tell Your Kids About Your Plastic Surgery<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/rob.j.scott/SAgBx-OvvII/AAAAAAAAAjQ/Ok5sERWAMlU/s1600-h/My_Beautiful_Mommy%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="153" alt="My_Beautiful_Mommy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/rob.j.scott/SAgByOOvvJI/AAAAAAAAAjY/RZZddy6ZbBw/My_Beautiful_Mommy_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" align="left" border="0" /></a> Dr Michael Salzhauer, a plastic surgeon, has <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080417/en_nm/books_plasticsurgery_dc" target="_blank">written a picture book</a> to help mothers explain to their 4-7 year olds that they are getting plastic surgery. </p> <p>Apparently, little kids can get freaked out when their mom comes home looking like she fought Mike Tyson. Future books in the series will include. <em>My Daddy the Serial Killer</em>,  <em>Why Mommy plays with Humberto the Gardener?</em> and <em>Why Daddy plays with Humberto the Gardener?</em></p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-71926842171680225922008-04-18T02:57:00.001+02:002008-04-18T02:57:59.397+02:00Money Buys Happiness<span class="teaser"><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/rob.j.scott/SAfyEOOvvEI/AAAAAAAAAiw/5loS-jxTqdY/s1600-h/happy_money%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="204" alt="happy_money" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/rob.j.scott/SAfyEuOvvFI/AAAAAAAAAi4/DEX8tvgS58o/happy_money_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" align="left" border="0" /></a> Two economists claim that money buys happiness. But if money buys happiness, and money pays your taxes doesn't that mean that paying your taxes should make you happy. Looks like two more smart people are actually not so much. Find out how you can cure depression with a giant wad of cash.</p></span><span class="fullpost"><p><img style="margin: 0px" height="236" src="http://memberdata.wildvoice.com/mykemurfy/2006-07/Happy Money Guy.png" width="236" align="left" /> Most of us don’t get our kicks out of attaching a R100 note to a fish hook and some line, then lowering it down a building and suddenly yanking it away whenever an excited homeless person tries to grab it (shame on you Marcus Stelloh). But most of us do get some form of happiness from having more money than others.</p> <p>At least this has been the consensus since a <a href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/04/16/business/Easterlin1974.pdf" target="_blank">1974 study by Richard Easterlin</a> was published. However, the study had some unexpected results known as the Easterlin Paradox. </p> <p>To sum up the three observations:</p> <ol> <li>Within a society, rich people tend to be much happier than poor people. </li> <li>But, rich societies tend not to be happier than poor societies (or not by much). </li> <li>As countries get richer, they do not get happier. </li> </ol> <p>This little bit of information made the relationship between financing and happiness a relative statistic. Thus, it did not matter if you had less than those in other countries because all that mattered was that you were richer than those around you. </p> <p>This little paradox has been exploited by the press, hippies and a couple of munchkins to illustrate that money doesn’t buy happiness. As opposed to the fact that people are superficial and want to be number one in their space.</p> <p>However, now an Aussie with a ponytail and an American who hardly ever blinks <a href="http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/the-economics-of-happiness-part-1-reassessing-the-easterlin-paradox/" target="_blank">have disputed the Easterlin Paradox</a>. There <a href="http://bpp.wharton.upenn.edu/betseys/papers/Happiness.pdf" target="_blank">new study</a> basically observes the following:</p> <ol> <li>Rich people are happier than poor people. </li> <li>Richer countries are happier than poorer countries. </li> <li>As countries get richer, they tend to get happier. </li> </ol> <p>This is pretty groundbreaking because as anyone who reads the Bible knows, Esterlin is infallible and if the new research, from Wolfers and Stevenson, is accepted by the greater economic community it would prove him wrong – undoing all creation and effectively ending all life (that might be wrong but it’ll sell newspapers).</p> <p>Wolfers and Stevenson claim that the new findings are due to errors in collecting data among countries.</p> <p>I, however, am not so convinced, although I’m sure the press will mount this like Paris Hilton to ‘any moving object’. Of course I haven’t read the whole study yet (it’s over 70 pages and I’ve known about it for an hour) but from what I can assess is the following:</p> <ul> <li>This is what I’d call a meta-study based on large quantities of different studies that are not standardized whatsoever. Meaning that the generalization of the findings is problematic. <br /></li> <li>The world has changed in the last 30 years and there is far more global awareness. People in poor countries probably know more now about the better living conditions of their foreign counterparts than before. Meaning the study might not have taken the trend of globablization into account, which might make it as though we are living in the same country (it’s a small world after all). <br /></li> <li>There is no proof that the people conducting the surveys weren’t using candy to sway the results. </li> </ul> <p>Look how unhappy us South African’s are:</p> <center> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/rob.j.scott/SAfyFOOvvGI/AAAAAAAAAjA/RkehIcJG8sE/s1600-h/happy_map%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="540" alt="happy_map" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/rob.j.scott/SAfyFuOvvHI/AAAAAAAAAjI/yIVG4pBek5E/happy_map_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="560" border="0" /></a> </p> </center></span> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-85891125902290058342008-04-16T15:39:00.001+02:002008-04-16T15:39:18.405+02:00The Captain America - Zak Penn Blunder<p><img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px" height="214" src="http://www.headinjurytheater.com/images/mzomb captain america brainless.jpg" width="200" align="left" /> Zak Penn told <em>ComicMix</em> that he is working on the Captain America film. But then his <a href="http://www.comicmix.com/news/2008/04/15/interview-zak-penn-on-the-grand-x-men-fans-and-co-writing-hulk/" target="_blank">representatives contacted <em>ComicMix</em></a> to inform them that he isn't, even though they transcribed the interview correctly.</p> <p>Either Penn has a very overactive imagination or he violated the confidentiality part of his contract. If you read the interview you also find out that Penn isn't necessarily to blame for crap like <em>Fantastic Four</em>; that the new Hulk film is Norton's baby since Penn hasn't been involved in months; and there may be a young X-Men movie. They better bring back Cyclops. </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Monkey Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783066941153575919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-71488038967872558212008-04-07T17:42:00.001+02:002008-04-07T17:42:54.505+02:00Scrubs to Return for Eighth Season?<p><a href="http://lh6.google.com/rob.j.scott/R_pA96g8saI/AAAAAAAAAhY/J0gE18_QOLA/scrubs%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="240" alt="scrubs" src="http://lh4.google.com/rob.j.scott/R_pA_ag8sbI/AAAAAAAAAhg/2S_HWc97kmk/scrubs_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" width="179" align="left" border="0" /></a> When <a href="http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=033a2b2f-a104-4658-8586-324709c00594" target="_blank">NBC announced it's line up for next season</a> Scrubs fans were left empty handed. Not only was the long running "smack me on the ass and call me Sally because this shit is whack" show being cancelled but due to the writers strike six of the planned episodes that were to tie up the series and end it properly were cancelled. </p> <p>Fortunately the long rumoured move from NBC to ABC looks like it will actually take place. E! Onlineclaims that 16 more episodes will air. Apparently the budget has been trimmed but<em> </em><strong>Zach Braff </strong>is on board. </p> <p>Don't know about you but I'm stoked. You can read the full report from E! <a href="http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=27bd7007-17a3-4b43-9b80-011d425995ec&utm_campaign=xxltfp&utm_source=xjljqfejb&utm_medium=link#commentstart" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-91971121097343229522008-04-03T15:44:00.001+02:002008-04-03T15:44:05.278+02:00Introducing Cow-Man: Scientists Make Human-Cow Embryos<p><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="190" alt="Cow-Man is coming!!!!" src="http://lh4.google.com/The.End.SA/R_TfH3bslnI/AAAAAAAAAMo/9svFs61hnwg/cowman%5B6%5D.jpg" width="200" align="left" border="0" /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN0239951520080402?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0" target="_blank">British Scientists have created embryos</a> using human cells and the egg cells of cows. They claim that such experiments will not lead to human-animal hybrid babies or to medical therapy. </p> <p>So what use could these sneaky scientists have with such a 6th day violation. You have a right to be sceptical. They only ruled out hybrid babies, which means these Newton loving bookworms intend to skip the infant size and begin producing an entire army of ferocious Cow-Men™. Look at the pic on the left for the fate of your doom. You have been warned world.</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Monkey Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783066941153575919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-17712872628437873982008-04-03T03:24:00.001+02:002008-04-03T03:25:05.208+02:00Never Say Die - Friday Night Lights Returning for 3rd Season<span class="teaser"><p><a href="http://lh3.google.com/rob.j.scott/R_Qxzqg8sYI/AAAAAAAAAhI/0CXbDnZ7UJI/Friday_Night_Lights%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="142" alt="Friday_Night_Lights" src="http://lh6.google.com/rob.j.scott/R_Qx0ag8sZI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/lOBrX2tEwN4/Friday_Night_Lights_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" width="200" align="left" border="0" /></a> The unthinkable has happened. A network TV show that is declining in ratings has been renewed with a landmark deal.</p></span><span class="fullpost"><p><img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px" src="http://blogs.e-rockford.com/onthego/files/2007/12/fridaynightlights.jpg" align="left" /> Defying the odds once again <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080402/ap_en_tv/tv_nbc_new_season" target="_blank">Friday Night Lights has been renewed for a third season</a>. The show was renewed for a 2nd season last year, in spite of low ratings, due to critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase. This year the ratings have not improved and it seemed like it would be curtains for the struggling show.</p> <p>However, NBC and DirecTV have come to a rather unusual deal. 13 more episodes of the show will be filmed with NBC and DirecTV splitting the production costs. The episodes will then premier on the satellite service, DirecTV in October, before being aired on broadcast network NBC early next year.</p> <p>NBC entertainment chief Ben Silverman said that the deal would allow NBC to make a profit off the show without extending its audience. DirecTV's maximum audience of 16.1 million people is not expected to negatively effect the shows viewership on NBC and in addition the additional marketing from DirecTV is expected to expand the shows audience. </p> <p>Of course this news is bigger than the show itself. With the writers strike and general Broadcast TV ratings dips negatively <a href="http://www.imdb.com/news/sb/2008-04-01#tv3" target="_blank">effecting the networks advertising revenues</a>, there is a need to find ways to cut costs. Until this the most common way has been cancelling scripted shows in favour of more reality TV. </p> <p>This deal could represent a change in the way business is done among the networks. Resulting in quality shows with loyal fanbases being kept in production without major budget cuts. It also means that broadcast will not necessarily be the first stop for all it's primetime shows anymore (which already happened with <em><a href="http://www.theendsa.blogspot.com/2007/12/dexter-to-be-castrated-then-shown-on.html" target="_blank">Dexter</a></em>).</p> <p>If only this could have happened for <em>Arrested Development</em>.</p></span> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-18441549283117996342008-03-24T16:26:00.001+02:002008-03-24T16:27:56.504+02:00Rage: I Found Another Racist<span class="teaser"><p><img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://3gwmuq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pzFHbCsN_FkpKSVR8gO8956DPDjQqAbSq7QvgcQDtzuUyydvueXwjuXqwOcQ8KoNqvYjjB4PYcdU/The_End_Rob.jpg" align="left" />What makes<em> </em>us at <em>The End </em> more angry than ignorant racists? If you said nothing, you got the right answer. If you said Bob Saget's standup you were a close second.</p></span><span class="fullpost"><p><img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://theblacksentinel.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/slavery_maryland_0327.jpg" align="left" /> I stumbled onto <a href="http://wogan.co.za/2008/03/22/sorry-for-being-white/#comment-348" target="_blank">Wogan’s blog</a> today who had posted a letter from some other (unknown to me) blogger, which was a response to a recent Mercury article titled <a href="http://www.themercury.co.za/?fSectionId=&fArticleId=vn20080228034706653C206125" target="_blank">'It's not too late, say sorry for apartheid'</a>. While Wogan seems to think that this was a sharp response, it personally made my blood boil, it ground my gears (al la Peter Griffin), it made me see red and all other synonyms for a sudden burst of rage. </p> <p>Obviously the letter is either written by an ignorant moron or a wanna-be Goebbels trying to develop some new propaganda. Anyway, I’ve decided to re-write it so it makes more sense. The original is in red italics.</p> <p><i><span style="color:#800000;">To the Previously Disadvantaged,</span></i></p> <p>To the disadvantaged,</p> <p><i><span style="color:#800000;">We are sorry that our ancestors were intelligent, advanced and daring enough to explore the wild oceans to discover new countries and develop them. We are sorry that those who came before us took you out of the bush and taught you that there was more to life than beating drums, killing each other and chasing animals with sticks and stones.</span></i></p> <p>We are sorry that our ancestors were power hungry morons bent on world domination. We are sorry that those who came before us disrupted your way of life and destroyed your culture.</p> <p><i><span style="color:#800000;">We are sorry that they planned, funded and developed roads, towns, mines, factories, airports and harbours, all of which you now claim to be your long deprived inheritance giving you every right to change and rename these at your discretion. We are sorry that our parents taught us the value of small but strong families, to not breed like rabbits and end up as underfed, diseased, illiterate shack dwellers living in poverty. We are sorry that when the evil apartheid government provided you with schools, you decided they’d look better without windows or in piles of ashes.</span></i></p> <p>We are sorry that they abused, tortured, killed, raped and exploited you as slaves so that they could develop roads, towns, mines, factories, airports and harbours, in order to further exploit your land and resources. We are sorry that our culturally imposed values and culture that our parents have passed onto us and we used to redefine your country undermine your values and culture. We are sorry that the evil apartheid government only provided you with schools that offered a compromised education to ensure your oppression.</p> <p><i><span style="color:#800000;">We happily gave up those bad days of getting spanked in our all white schools for doing something wrong and much prefer these days of freedom where problems can be resolved with knives and guns. We are sorry that it is hard to shake off the bitterness of the past when you keep on raping, torturing and killing our friends and family members, and then hide behind the fence of “human rights” with smiles on your faces.</span></i></p> <p>We happily give up those bad days when problems were solved with an “ask questions later” mentality. When the innocent were abducted, tortured, detained and killed without evidence or trial. We are sorry that we let the crimes of the minority make us bitter to the rest of your race. We are sorry that we are still racist.<img style="margin: 0px;" src="http://socialjustice.ccnmtl.columbia.edu/images/thumb/5/5e/Apartheid.jpg/180px-Apartheid.jpg" align="right" /></p> <p><i><span style="color:#800000;">We are sorry that we do not trust the government. We have no reason to be so suspicious because none of these poor hard working intellectuals have ever been involved in any form of corruption or “irregularities”. We are sorry that we do not <br />trust the police force and, even though they have openly admitted that they have lost the war against crime and criminals, we should not be negative and just ignore their corruption and carry on hoping for the best.</span></i></p> <p>We are sorry that we do not trust the government even though the corruption and “irregularities” that occur in it are not far different from the governments of the countries which raped your land in the first place<i>. </i>We are sorry that we blame the crime on the inabilities of the new police force, when the seeds for such anarchy were nurtured in the hate and one sidedness of the previous one.</p> <p><i><span style="color:#800000;">We are sorry that it is more important to you to have players of colour in our national teams than winning games and promoting patriotism. We know that sponsorship doesn’t depend on a team’s success.</span></i></p> <p>We are sorry that for us ‘winning is all that matters’ and that we don’t care about having representative sports teams and promoting patriotism, even though out teams have still excelled on the field. </p> <p><i><span style="color:#800000;">We are sorry that our border posts have been flung open and now left you competing for jobs against illegal immigrants from our beautiful neighbouring countries. All of them countries that have grown into economic powerhouses after kicking out the “settlers”. We are sorry that we don’t believe in witchcraft, beetroot and garlic cures, urinating on street corners, virginity testing, slaughtering of bulls in our back yards, trading women for cattle and other barbaric practices. Maybe we just grew up differently.</span></i></p> <p>We are sorry that our counter parts have destroyed our neighbouring countries and that we don’t appreciate you efforts in the situation. We refuse to accepts or admit just how much harm we have done. We are sorry that we do not attempt to accommodate or except your cultures even though some of ours involve eating the blood and flesh of humans, taking expensive cough syrup (which does nothing), urinating on street corners, cooking our skin in the sun, starving ourselves for fashion and other barbaric practices. </p> <p><i><span style="color:#800000;">We are sorry that your medical care, water supplies, roads, railways and electricity supplies are going down the toilet because skilled people who could have planned for and resolved these issues had to be shown away because they were of the wrong ethnic background and now have to work in foreign countries where their skills are more needed. We are so sorry that we’d like this country to fulfil its potential so we can once again be proud South Africans.</span></i></p> <p>We are sorry that we are so against affirmative action and what it stands for. We are sorry that we can never acknowledge the new government’s achievements but linger on the failures. We are sorry that many of us have a bad case of ‘swart gevaar’ and left the country because of this. Most of all we are sorry that we never wanted apartheid to end, we just wanted to change its name and make some of its policies less cruel. </p> <p><i><span style="color:#800000;">The Previously Advantaged</span></i></p> <p>The Advantaged</p> <p>Whoever wrote that letter and those who find it amusing are the very poison that makes me ashamed to be white. Why are we such a disgusting race? </p> </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-56982263496746780362008-03-21T18:41:00.004+02:002008-03-21T19:12:41.099+02:00The Wolfman Cometh<span class="teaser"><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bkITR2T3x8sMzHaZoOg4orZy2cUiVjFC0ZSckDkL2jQ7Jv73jjHvgq-PXboMvkWZS-HhLLgNNw5-Usp8rs028WKFubXQNHjfE9SpDeFfcXoBNo_zkDs5cG6l_7fZKgTytJuKbt9IXos/s1600-h/wolfman_small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bkITR2T3x8sMzHaZoOg4orZy2cUiVjFC0ZSckDkL2jQ7Jv73jjHvgq-PXboMvkWZS-HhLLgNNw5-Usp8rs028WKFubXQNHjfE9SpDeFfcXoBNo_zkDs5cG6l_7fZKgTytJuKbt9IXos/s320/wolfman_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180238578292921698" border="0" /></a>The first look at the new Wolfman is finally here. While checking out the new big furry, why not take a walk down memory lane at gaze at some of makeup artist, Rick Baker's previous work.</p> </span><span class="fullpost"><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGU4fZL_k1r07sHrN7BWLh_BZUQ_p11uK7sV4BDCvKuuYgSTlletYmGhCRJflbPxRW6or1-b0iZUezTDYSwZ2XJo2gUUZMEi-BXOdsF3_-1AZZNIGyMdQv5z3tHOAeTtPjLmqrwouAenI/s1600-h/wolfman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGU4fZL_k1r07sHrN7BWLh_BZUQ_p11uK7sV4BDCvKuuYgSTlletYmGhCRJflbPxRW6or1-b0iZUezTDYSwZ2XJo2gUUZMEi-BXOdsF3_-1AZZNIGyMdQv5z3tHOAeTtPjLmqrwouAenI/s320/wolfman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180239746524026242" border="0" /></a>It’s been 67 years since <a href="http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0002574/" target="_blank">the first Wolfman film</a> and in that time makeup sure has come a long way. <i><a href="http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20185191,00.html" target="_blank">Entertainment Weekly</a></i> has released the first look at <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780653/" target="_blank">the New Wolfman</a> due out February 13 2009.</p><p>Universal have pumped an $85 million budget into this horror remake starring <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001125/" target="_blank">Benicio del Toro</a> (<i>Traffic</i>), <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000164/" target="_blank">Anthony Hopkins</a> (<i>The Remains of the Day</i>), <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0915989/" target="_blank">Hugo Weaving</a> (<i>The Matrix</i>) and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1289434/" target="_blank">Emily Blunt</a> (<i>The Devil Wears Prada</i>).</p> <p>While director <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002653/" target="_blank">Joe Johnston</a> has no Werewolf experience (unless you count that scene in <i>Jumanji</i> where the boy turns into a dog thing), the same cannot be said for the films special effects makeup artist <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000711/" target="_blank">Rick Baker</a>.</p> <p>Baker told <i><a href="http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20185191,00.html" target="_blank">EW</a></i>, “[To fans] At least you know that the guy who's doing the makeup in the movie is coming from the same place they are — as a fan. I have a real appreciation for the old Universal classics. The old fanboy in me is jumping up and down here!”</p> <p>Baker became a makeup artist because of films such as <i>Frankenstein</i> and the 1941 original version of <i>The Wolf Man</i>. His passion for Werewolves is reflected in his resume. Take a look:</p> <center> <table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="500"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="295"> <p><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082533/">The Howling</a> (1981) </p> </td> <td valign="top" width="203"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmUjr7u0uopt2nt9aBgpSOQ5zVojHno9CV2QDHnZRvMxlRTgFxpJ2jXTQFziNKUMAfy8GfKV1YoRPSASx9vOzGjSqZSoKK2nq0s8daM6h0C8vQlrE4wftuHT_mLkP86blYQIMNCmeGk4/s1600-h/the_howling.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmUjr7u0uopt2nt9aBgpSOQ5zVojHno9CV2QDHnZRvMxlRTgFxpJ2jXTQFziNKUMAfy8GfKV1YoRPSASx9vOzGjSqZSoKK2nq0s8daM6h0C8vQlrE4wftuHT_mLkP86blYQIMNCmeGk4/s200/the_howling.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180240012811998610" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="295"> <p><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082010/">An American Werewolf in London</a> (1981) </p> </td> <td valign="top" width="203"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mR-gS554SbQfmzIIv9zkKCN4jUPOnVjUmysHqNQ7o3t5zgYlNMSJ6NQP5iKe8ceSiG_h_Ln67OpLGOoNXDzRTT4u1H6pDDgA9dNXVsY8yTATuShUj_7tIx5ZIZydi3yiLrOj_2j9Vfc/s1600-h/american_werewolf_london.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mR-gS554SbQfmzIIv9zkKCN4jUPOnVjUmysHqNQ7o3t5zgYlNMSJ6NQP5iKe8ceSiG_h_Ln67OpLGOoNXDzRTT4u1H6pDDgA9dNXVsY8yTATuShUj_7tIx5ZIZydi3yiLrOj_2j9Vfc/s200/american_werewolf_london.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180240261920101794" border="0" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="295"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088263/">Thriller</a> (The Michael Jackson music video) (1983) </td> <td valign="top" width="203"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjgH6fbAhAKdPQW8FO27FKJoiVoIbDzyujRPH1v7XN8pTPUbD18tymHympow9upQbkQtCjN1__bajs6T4s7HSTqCm5INrOdE8TZac59m-86CtSiEoWLhsBQwq_yqO0Da2i7qAxaVm5PE/s1600-h/thriller.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjgH6fbAhAKdPQW8FO27FKJoiVoIbDzyujRPH1v7XN8pTPUbD18tymHympow9upQbkQtCjN1__bajs6T4s7HSTqCm5INrOdE8TZac59m-86CtSiEoWLhsBQwq_yqO0Da2i7qAxaVm5PE/s200/thriller.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180240425128859058" border="0" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="295"> <p><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092480/">"Werewolf"</a> (The TV series) (1987) </p> </td> <td valign="top" width="203"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkeSpci0L2aKOQLJOgcJd398ltFys0zTtYe-gAlGP0GtbzkEeFg0OV2WHa1slwYF7JUhfRRoWtZteY554AJxXpnRzgJ7MjPgtz_Jmi09UUIADaz92CzC6P9CYipEDT3Xv9ciouTgz80A/s1600-h/werewolf_tv.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkeSpci0L2aKOQLJOgcJd398ltFys0zTtYe-gAlGP0GtbzkEeFg0OV2WHa1slwYF7JUhfRRoWtZteY554AJxXpnRzgJ7MjPgtz_Jmi09UUIADaz92CzC6P9CYipEDT3Xv9ciouTgz80A/s200/werewolf_tv.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180240674236962258" border="0" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="295"> <p><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111742/">Wolf</a> (1994) </p> </td> <td valign="top" width="203"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgI33djazC5VrHj5UZYgOmdcM7Ky6srOvPB74FUHY9ZfMAOLSAtHRbubo9R6SbHRVQcBr3xkprl3mVFDO45r3th8Q1kVDw54zGlLuok-pdb9ojLsjlxBoZb3FdQ2zst61uYyLJ6385rEo/s1600-h/wolf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgI33djazC5VrHj5UZYgOmdcM7Ky6srOvPB74FUHY9ZfMAOLSAtHRbubo9R6SbHRVQcBr3xkprl3mVFDO45r3th8Q1kVDw54zGlLuok-pdb9ojLsjlxBoZb3FdQ2zst61uYyLJ6385rEo/s200/wolf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180240558272845250" border="0" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="295"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0257516/">Cursed</a> (2005) </td> <td valign="top" width="203"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtCSTZPdmf4mGuv9ToUgxR6JkTeoe5cTOqNVjTX3ffJ-i9ZHSEMgzwoLvFbat8tNJXp4TDFwwvLcsFaVNJz9jA2LYQC3oLI6W_RLTePyuTJvP4Xt_DqDXQBX5BPx7EelUyY3g76zy4SM/s1600-h/cursed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtCSTZPdmf4mGuv9ToUgxR6JkTeoe5cTOqNVjTX3ffJ-i9ZHSEMgzwoLvFbat8tNJXp4TDFwwvLcsFaVNJz9jA2LYQC3oLI6W_RLTePyuTJvP4Xt_DqDXQBX5BPx7EelUyY3g76zy4SM/s200/cursed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180240785906111970" border="0" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </center> <p></p> <p>Apart from turning men in to lycans, Barker has also one the Academy Award for Best Makeup six times:</p> <p></p> <center> <table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="500"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="250"> <p><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082010/">An American Werewolf in London</a> (1981)</p> </td> <td valign="top" width="250"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwhLGe0bTs5Hne1_tki87meTZySZ_Aj24c4RjVKrsN8WPpo406_fHjp0RU4ectosFK0ICBiJ7_JD5mYSI3PlzzBw-sAtJYnArzWrJ9QRNAoGRhEBNDyrttpZbw01CpHj_u4jYcpt-lSA/s1600-h/american_werewolf_london2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwhLGe0bTs5Hne1_tki87meTZySZ_Aj24c4RjVKrsN8WPpo406_fHjp0RU4ectosFK0ICBiJ7_JD5mYSI3PlzzBw-sAtJYnArzWrJ9QRNAoGRhEBNDyrttpZbw01CpHj_u4jYcpt-lSA/s200/american_werewolf_london2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180241125208528370" border="0" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="250"> <p><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093148/">Harry and the Hendersons</a> (1987)</p> </td> <td valign="top" width="250"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLojMcdB8pZp7KtlD9eHQ7Hw55ufUDJy8NasaxsfVtuI7Kd9ICSQXNgeMVviZPgAzsSeQgV7xeT_Zlz3Gp_UVahCH1Qf6-V5rTfKFPjgLGMHf6CFX0vsfQvUMpP6TW5wblMrpAVtUb1E/s1600-h/harry_and_the_hendersons.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLojMcdB8pZp7KtlD9eHQ7Hw55ufUDJy8NasaxsfVtuI7Kd9ICSQXNgeMVviZPgAzsSeQgV7xeT_Zlz3Gp_UVahCH1Qf6-V5rTfKFPjgLGMHf6CFX0vsfQvUMpP6TW5wblMrpAVtUb1E/s200/harry_and_the_hendersons.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180241408676369922" border="0" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="250"> <p><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109707/">Ed Wood</a> (1994)</p> </td> <td valign="top" width="250"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnsX9SDqHbXumhHt6OlvO4XIP4G-pp4vhJBom-qgjJ4xIvaeC2-qI26cnh8FwpvopCzrHJhIGMB65cgt1sHD3P0FpRHWhMjInADpPZ2ZY-nzh4Nb4UzSpjwZaS1QDzp36TyQBMnNGd2s/s1600-h/Ed_wood.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnsX9SDqHbXumhHt6OlvO4XIP4G-pp4vhJBom-qgjJ4xIvaeC2-qI26cnh8FwpvopCzrHJhIGMB65cgt1sHD3P0FpRHWhMjInADpPZ2ZY-nzh4Nb4UzSpjwZaS1QDzp36TyQBMnNGd2s/s200/Ed_wood.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180241601949898274" border="0" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="250"> <p><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117218/">The Nutty Professor</a> (1996)</p> </td> <td valign="top" width="250"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSuNG3w6YwkKoG_9G_RzZQovj2wijdrJzSJf37Hoao_6gkpzawqkKjXlj9MX6t4CAsKjiondOK9B5-DGGiQFx_FKVQBT0FR6o1GT80x8wPic-p44dGYL0CXyyby45ieBdDWIEw5Z6d0w/s1600-h/nutty_professor+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSuNG3w6YwkKoG_9G_RzZQovj2wijdrJzSJf37Hoao_6gkpzawqkKjXlj9MX6t4CAsKjiondOK9B5-DGGiQFx_FKVQBT0FR6o1GT80x8wPic-p44dGYL0CXyyby45ieBdDWIEw5Z6d0w/s200/nutty_professor+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180241868237870658" border="0" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="250"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119654/">Men in Black</a> (1997)</td> <td valign="top" width="250"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUSi9-FCWX2k8Ayg_co2o7sWh4gHl7ApcWGTGxYWmZ0TtMW1Gu4s_dpYhHspNZIneKHydrs04gQzBf73XCIuxw57DSuo7aglb_GiGHhocf5x9r-C4irWu10Bqe9TORxTb4jnuaccfB_E/s1600-h/men_in_black.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUSi9-FCWX2k8Ayg_co2o7sWh4gHl7ApcWGTGxYWmZ0TtMW1Gu4s_dpYhHspNZIneKHydrs04gQzBf73XCIuxw57DSuo7aglb_GiGHhocf5x9r-C4irWu10Bqe9TORxTb4jnuaccfB_E/s200/men_in_black.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180241520345519634" border="0" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="250"> <p><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0170016/">How the Grinch Stole Christmas</a> (2000)</p> </td> <td valign="top" width="250"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszEQ_HsG3nybM13Za8ZYsHisLFu75lBwi34xI-5HyLpJeSXsK_kXBCYgAFrD2_lQXpCSjJiwEpAnn0YDAn6lLI4E-1VMW5ndl-jwDItZ87lP37rODjezJ6Tvsr3eu_xkHvtjW0_40fVs/s1600-h/the_grinch+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszEQ_HsG3nybM13Za8ZYsHisLFu75lBwi34xI-5HyLpJeSXsK_kXBCYgAFrD2_lQXpCSjJiwEpAnn0YDAn6lLI4E-1VMW5ndl-jwDItZ87lP37rODjezJ6Tvsr3eu_xkHvtjW0_40fVs/s200/the_grinch+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180241769453622834" border="0" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </center> <p> </p> <p>Applying the makeup to Del Toro took about 3 hours and another hour to remove it, which is quick for the type of work. It’s good to see that Barker has remained faithful to the original style and not gone overly giant wolf (<i>al la Van Helsing).</i></p> <p><i></i></p> <p><i></i>It will be interesting to see what happens next year when this is released as Werewolves seldom do big numbers at the boxoffice. Here is a list of the top grossing modern (1980 – onwards) werewolf films without the ones that also have vampires (<i>Van Helsing, The Underworld films</i>). </p> <table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="500"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="346"> 1. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111742/" target="_blank">Wolf</a> (1994)</td> <td valign="top" width="152"><b>$65,002,597</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="346"> 2. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090142/" target="_blank">Teen Wolf</a> (1985)</td> <td valign="top" width="152"><b>$33,086,611</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="346"> 3. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082010/" target="_blank">An American Werewolf in London</a> (1981)</td> <td valign="top" width="152"><b>$30,565,292</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="346"> 4. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118604/" target="_blank">An American Werewolf in Paris</a> (1997)</td> <td valign="top" width="152"><b>$26,570,463</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="346"> 5. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0257516/" target="_blank">Cursed</a> (2005)</td> <td valign="top" width="152"><b>$19,297,522</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="346"> 6. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082533/" target="_blank">The Howling</a> (1981)</td> <td valign="top" width="152"><b>$17,985,893</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="346"> 7. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090021/" target="_blank">Silver Bullet</a> (1985)</td> <td valign="top" width="152"><b>$12,361,866</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="346"> 8. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083336/" target="_blank">Wolfen</a> (1981)</td> <td valign="top" width="152"><b>$10,626,725</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="346"> 9. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094118/" target="_blank">Teen Wolf Too</a> (1987)</td> <td valign="top" width="152"><b>$7,888,703</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="346">10. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087075/" target="_blank">The Company of Wolves</a> (1985)</td> <td valign="top" width="152"><b>$4,389,334</b></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmPxnX9nKN92FrLvxlE4IkEHwRI3Y1fwvPg0lNhKVNi4LXXmdKrIE1bZlBPiGxZw6L9-rGN3lhlXdCu2IT5pn1C4m9QOL0M29iM_S_We5hyphenhyphenOGti8TyzgSasT7LLwhOk4b3ZkXjXbhu-g/s1600-h/benicio_del_toro_the_wolfman2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmPxnX9nKN92FrLvxlE4IkEHwRI3Y1fwvPg0lNhKVNi4LXXmdKrIE1bZlBPiGxZw6L9-rGN3lhlXdCu2IT5pn1C4m9QOL0M29iM_S_We5hyphenhyphenOGti8TyzgSasT7LLwhOk4b3ZkXjXbhu-g/s400/benicio_del_toro_the_wolfman2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180243925527205474" /></a> </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483711480570048118.post-32727638658536587242008-03-21T04:53:00.001+02:002008-03-21T04:53:29.530+02:00Operation Margarine<span class="teaser"><p><em><img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px" height="112" src="http://www.liketocook.com/50226711/butter_vs_margarine1.jpg" width="200" align="left" /></em>What does early margarine advertising have to do with the army, the church and arguments? Find out by reading this post.</p></span><span class="fullpost"><p><em>The following is an extreme translation of Operation Margarine by Roland Barthes from Mythologies (</em><a href="http://theendsa.blogspot.com/2008/03/extreme-translation-mythologies.html"><em>find out what that is</em></a><em>).</em></p> <center> <p><a href="http://www.bustedtees.com/shirt/margarine/female" target="_blank"><img alt="But this T-Shirt from Busted Tees" src="http://www.bustedtees.com/bt/images/BT-margarine-gallery-3083.jpg" /></a> </p> </center> <p>Nowadays it is common for people to smugly discuss the problems of the status quo as an foolproof means of defending it. This is how it goes down: You take the idea or the belief that you treasure like a head on a stick – then you attack it from all angles. Allow everyone to know how petty or problematic it is – let the idea ‘go-down’ on its own imperfection. Then just before this idea explodes all over its self pull it up and save it “in spite of” its problems, or rather because of them. Want a couple of examples? There are o so many. </p> <p>Take the army. It’s a barbaric institution that is above civil law – it is the autocratic state within the democratic state. It takes common people and drowns them in uniformity. They are the ones who fight for the rights of a country that they themselves are exempt from. And just when everyone is in your pocket and sees that the army is archaic, with slight of hand, bam! Now you are talking about the perfect patriotic institution, that which the whole country, the flag - democracy itself depends on. It is a necessary sacrifice that is made to create the heroes that protect our way of life. And like a battered wife who knows no better, we come crawling back, battered and bruised but still very much in love.</p> <p>Speaking of the army again. Argue about the scientists and engineers that blindly push the limits to create such devastating weapons – the same weapons that are used to exterminate human life. But then pull a 180 and speak about all the great developments that have come about because of this fierce science. Explain how the military is great because of the triumphs, which it provided the genesis of.</p> <p>Last but not least, let us look at the church: Talk with words laced in napalm about its self-righteousness, its narrow-minded bigots – lay all of its faults out on the table. But then just before you deliver the final blow (picture the Superman vs Doomsday battle) – explain the benefits that its moral lawfulness provides and how the act of salvation can save even those who are excluded from its reach.</p> <p>It is a kind of vaccine: one cures doubts in an idea by explaining the faults that plague it. </p> <p>This inoculates those it touches as they accept a lesser evil to prevent or cure a diabolic one. Then anyone who rebels against the inhumanities of the status quo and its values – is the common illness that is now insignificant – already inoculated against. There protests will fall on deaf ears, as they are already accounted for. Those who see the weaknesses are pre-empted and familiarized with them before they can consider them as anything other than inevitable, and in the long run beneficial. We trade our freedom for the transcendent good of the idea. A little ‘confessed’ evil saves one from acknowledging a lot of hidden evil.</p> <p>This vaccine can be seen in the marketing for <i>Astra </i>margarine. Their adverts always begin with a cry of resent against margarine: “A mousse? Made with margarine? Unthinkable!” “Margarine? Your uncle will be furious!” and then the adverts open one’s eyes and margarine is described as a delicious, economical and useful food.</p> <p>The ads aren’t just selling a product they are selling a value - “Get rid of the prejudice which costs you dearly.” This is how the status quo disposes of progressive views. “The army is extreme, archaic and undemocratic.” “Of course the church is full of bigots and murderous conformism.” The argument then turns to the inevitable, “But”. But what is wrong with these insignificant negatives when they are entwined with tremendous advantages? It is worth the cost of the immunization. After all, does it matter if margarine is just fat, when it goes further than butter and costs less? Does it matter if the cost of order is a little brutal or a little blind, when it provides us such tremendous social benefits overall? And so we stand rid of the prejudices which cost us dearly. Stripped of our principles which cost ‘us’ too much, in terms of the ‘greater’ good. </p></span> <div class="blogger-post-footer">You've reached The End - www.theendsa.blogspot.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00001538080451535494noreply@blogger.com1