In today’s trailer bin, Kevin Smith offers up another helping of Clerks 2, Disney takes a page from Pixar in this early teaser for next year’s Meet the Robinsons, and Liev Schrieber and Julia Stiles add up the signs (and leave the swingset behind) in the new trailer for John Moore’s Omen 666 remake.
Month: April 2006
Yankee, Leave Home.
“Surveys consistently show that Americans are viewed as arrogant, insensitive, over-materialistic and ignorant about local values. That, in short, is the image of the Ugly American abroad and we want to change it.” Concerned about the “worryingly accurate” international stereotype of boorish Americans abroad, the State Department and several corporate partners create a handy etiquette manual for would-be world travelers. Some sample advice: “Listen at least as much as you talk. (By all means, talk about America and your life in our country. But also ask people you’re visiting about themselves and their way of life.)” Hmm…can we get a copy to Dubya?
Stick Figure Theater.
Two decently amusing fanimation links courtesy of Ed Rants (who, it should be noted, has had a really lousy week): Stick Figure Dragon’s Lair and Raiders of the Lost Ark in GIF form. Enjoy.
Prank Call! Prank Call!
“You have somebody who’s committing a felony, and he’s calling [the White House] during the planning, the execution and when it’s falling apart.” The Dubya administration gets in even more legal trouble after it’s discovered that, while an illegal plan to block Democratic phone banks in New Hampshire during the 2002 gubernatorial race was being carried out, its instigator, Dubya campaign op James Tobin, called the White House political affairs office 22 times in 2 days. (Looka has more.) Of course, clogging phone banks isn’t the first political dirty trick New Hampshire has ever seen — let us take a moment to reflect on the Gore campaign’s disgusting anti-Bradley traffic jam in 2000 — but that doesn’t make Tobin’s — and possibly the White House’s — actions any less reprehensible…or criminal.
Judge: No More Leaks on Leaks.
Irony of ironies, US District Judge Reggie B. Walston, presiding judge in Scooter Libby’s pending trial, threatens both sides with a gag order should information about the Plamegate case continue to make it into the newspapers. But the President told Scooter to call Judy, and maybe even Bob…
His Cup Rummeth Over.
“Secretary Rumsfeld’s energetic and steady leadership is exactly what is needed at this critical period. He has my full support and deepest appreciation.” In response to the growing calls for Rumsfeld’s resignation among retired top brass, Dubya chooses instead, as per his usual M.O., to hug Rummy tighter to his breast. (full text.) And, in related news, Salon‘s Michael Scherer and Mark Benjamin argue that Rumsfeld was “personally involved” in at least one questionable interrogation at Gitmo in 2002.
Fountain Head.
For those wishing to drink soon from The Fountain, another creepy, pulsating screensaver (somewhat akin to the first one) has been added to the official site. The Darren Aronofsky film stars Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz, as well as Aronofsky alums Ellen Burstyn (Requiem for a Dream) and Sean Gullette (Requiem, Pi).
Charlotte Sometimes.
The new trailer for Charlotte’s Web, which I’m pretty sure is the first honest-to-goodness book I ever read, is now online…although, back then, Charlotte sounded nothing like Julia Roberts. (Official Site.)
American Gods.
Just in time for Passover and Easter, a friend of mine in the program passes along these handy maps of American religious groupings, based on 2000 census data. It’s hard to get a sense of religious diversity in any given area from these color-coded, religion-specific maps…still, they’re worth taking a look at.
Burning like a Silver Flame.
The European Space Agency releases the first new pics from their recent “Express” mission to Venus. The Venus Express probe entered Venusian orbit on Tuesday.