Pop Culture & Current Events

Audrey Hepburn Is One Glamorous Google Doodle

Today, Audrey Hepburn would have been 85 years old; to commemorate, Google has released a doodle in her image. A gifted actress, international style icon, humanitarian, and one of the most beautiful women ever, Audrey’s life was cut short by appendiceal cancer at 63. What better way to celebrate her life than to do something kind for a needy child?


Star Wars Episode VII Cast Revealed

There will always be debates between technology fans – Mac or PC, iOS or Android, Excel or 1-2-3, Kirk or Picard, etc. But there are a few fairly universal things – we love gadgets, love debating about what we like and dislike, and we love Star Wars. Now we have the cast for Star Wars Episode VII to debate!


On Tax Day, Here’s Where YOUR Money Is Going

If you live in the US, you know that April 15th is tax day — when tax returns must be filed along with payments for all taxes owed from the previous year. Have you ever stopped to think about where your tax dollars are actually being spent? The White House has released a tool that can show you (in general).


Gone Girl Movie Trailer Hits, and It’s Deliciously Dark

Did you read Gillian Flynn’s 2012 book, Gone Girl? Full of dark twists and a satisfyingly unexpected ending, I liked it so much that I devoured Ms. Flynn’s two other (unrelated) novels. Amy Dunne disappears on her 5th wedding anniversary; did she leave voluntarily? Did her husband David kill her? Or is something even more twisted going on? GONE GIRL — directed by David Fincher and based upon the global bestseller by Gillian Flynn — unearths the secrets at the heart of a modern marriage. On the occasion of his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) reports that his…


Get Ready for Game of Thrones Season 4 with This 25 Minute Recap

In anticipation of Game of Thrones Season 4 tonight on HBO, Kev and I rewatched Season 3. Last night, after the season finale, we noticed this gem on HBOGo — a 25 minute recap of season 3’s high points. If you are a fan of the show, but you’re fuzzy on last season’s details, it’s time to catch up!


How Far Would You Go to Watch March Madness ?

I have a friend who joked he wanted his wife to go into labor during March Madness, so he could watch the games during paternity leave. Then there’s the dedication some men show towards being home for college basketball; according to CNN there’s high demand for vasectomies during March! How far would you go to watch March Madness?



How Do You Save RadioShack?

I remember when I was a kid going to RadioShack with my grandpa to get coax connectors, batteries, or some electronic device. It was my grandpa’s second favorite store. It troubles me to hear that RadioShack is closing even more stores. At this point, what can be done to save them?



Oscar Weekend!

Oscar weekend 2014! Movies are one of my biggest media passions. Film have taught me so much and the Oscars are always an exciting time for me. Gravity is my pick for picture this year and is wonderfully mimicked in the above photo from artist Michael Breach (@baristart). Look for the rest of his great works to release here on Oscar Sunday in honor of the awards ceremony! One film always seems to win in all their nominations (The Matrix, Usual Suspects, Ed Wood, and the record-holder The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King). This year there will be two!… The Great…


Hooked on a Feeling About the Guardians of the Galaxy Preview?

The new Guardians of the Galaxy preview from Marvel Studios (August 1, 2014) shows a good peek of the characters Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Gamora, Drax, and Peter Quill / Star Lord. I wanted more story details, but police seem to focus on Quill after he grabs a special orb near the beginning of the preview. What are your impressions?


Jimmy Fallon and Will Smith Show the Evolution of Hip-Hop Dancing

Did you catch the bit where Jimmy Fallon and Will Smith were giving examples of the evolution of hip-hop dancing over the years? If not, then you should watch this video; it’s almost guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Obviously they couldn’t fit in every hip-hop move ever, but it’s still a fun trip down memory lane. =)  


The Definitive Opinion on Michael Sam, Straight from Texas

Civil rights and courage go hand in hand. It takes courage to stand up and say “I am a gay man and I play football” like Michael Sam did just last week. He’s taking a risk with his career, challenging the internalized homophobia of professional sports, and he’s getting help from an unlikely source: Dallas sports anchor Dale Hansen.



Vladimir Putin Sports Yota Advertising for Russian Mobile Provider

There was controversy back in 2012 about the official sponsors of the Olympic games forcing athletes to not display logos of their sponsor brands. The Sochi Olympic games came with their own controversies, but the branding rules stand. For the athletes anyway, as the Russian President wore a fleece with several brands displayed, including Russian mobile network provider Yota.


This Bit by Louis CK is Hilarious; the Psychology Behind It Is Fascinating (NSFW)

A post over on TechCrunch includes an embedded bit by Louis CK that is hilarious. It also contains colorful language — you’ve been warned. The article goes on to unpack the psychological maneuvers the comedian employs to get his laughs and make his point. The video is a good laugh, and the post is a fascinating read. On the surface the bit appears to be Louis CK’s take on “On the one hand… On the other hand”. (Or, as he puts it, “Of course… But maybe.”) So, for example, on the one hand “Children who have nut allergies need to…


Make Your Oscar Award Picks on the 2014 Oscars Ballot

I’ll admit that I haven’t seen most of the films that are up for 2014 Oscars, but based on buzz, there are a few that I want to see and that I hope do well. Fill out the New York Times Oscar Ballot, then share your picks and ballot results in the comments below.


Carl Sagan’s Home Movies and More Are Now in the Library of Congress

Carl Sagan holds a special place in my heart. He advocated science and mastered at taking complex ideas and breaking them down into accessible knowledge that everyone could understand. Sagan’s influence on many was, and is, still profound. Due to a donation by Seth MacFarlane, there is now a Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan collection at the Library of Congress.



Spotify Grammy Predictions: How Did They Do?

So … did you watch the Grammy Awards? My family watched most, and with expectations set suitably low it was not a bad time. Spirited performances by Kendrik Lamar and Imagine Dragons easily offset the awful Katy Perry vocals, bland Taylor Swift showing, and plainly lip-syncing Pink. But the real question is … how did Spotify do predicting winners?