I'm going to let you in on a runescape gold secret. There is no thin line between geek culture and pop culture. There's a big, thick wall between the two. Every so often, someone fires a harpoon through that wall. A comic book movie becomes popular, or a video game makes waves in the media, or a Web site becomes the newest craze, and the harpoon hooked onto a nice chunk of geek culture and pulls it through to the pop culture side.
Then the wall is spackled over and the geek culture on the pop culture side is eaten up and forgotten about. Then, ironically, the wall is covered with posters like ads for G4's Attack of the Show, proclaiming oxymoronically "pop culture geeks unite!" and announcements from CNN that geek culture is now a big part of pop culture.
No matter how hard media outlets try to make the concept catch on, no matter how many studios try to capitalize on the cultural waves of comic book movies and million-selling video games, there is no such thing as pop culture geekdom. There is only the small amount of bleed-through that happens when that harpoon punches through the wall.
Last December, comedian Patton Oswalt wrote in Wired a treatise on the decay and necessary death of geek culture. He wrote that geek culture has become diluted, co-opted, and bastardized, and that if it wants to flourish again as a sub-culture, it needs to die and come back.
I sympathize with him, but I also completely disagree. Geek culture isn't dead. It's just hidden behind that huge wall.
Geek culture is defined by both depth and obscurity of the subject. Do you play D&D? You're starting at being a geek. Do you have a bookshelf full of D20 system manuals? You're a pretty solid runescape money geek. Do you play Shadowrun, Call of Cthulhu, and Paranoia on top of D&D? Now we're reaching some really respectable geek levels. Meanwhile, all any non-geeks know about role-playing games is D&D. For some, it's the stereotypical impression of the pastime. For others, it's the gateway activity that leads to deeper, stranger, geekier activities. We're not in danger (or hope) of the non-geek masses suddenly cracking jokes about ultraviolent clearance and serving The Computer. Nor do I really expect anyone reading this to get that reference.
Role-playing games aren't exactly accessible to many, so let's look at comic book movies, a sub-genre of film that has experienced a surprising resurgence over the last few years, even when the comic book industry itself has been shaky. Everyone saw Iron Man and 300. Many people saw V for Vendetta. Plenty of people saw Watchmen. Not nearly enough people saw Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World. Of all those people, how many do you think even realize that 300 and V for Vendetta are based on comic books? Or that Batman Begins is based partly on Frank Miller (300)'s Batman: Year One? How many readers went on to explore the works of Neil Gaiman, or Warren Ellis, or Garth Ennis?
Going the slightest bit beyond the direct source materials of these movies, mass interest in comics drops like a stone. Viewers of V for Vendetta and Watchmen didn't exactly clamor to read all the Alan Moore material they could find, based on the movies. For the vast majority, V for Vendetta and runescape accounts Watchmen, both seminal graphic novels and literary works of the 80s, started and stopped at the silver screen. Few, if any, searched for Moore's other work, like Swamp Thing, or Tom Strong, or Top Ten, or (god forbid) The Lost Girls. Granted, it didn't help that Moore distanced himself from all cinematic adaptations of his work (and after League of Extraordinary Gentleman, no one on the planet can blame him), but it probably wouldn't have changed the fleeting interest in the material, and not the source and context of the material. Like Dungeons & Dragons, these popular comic book movies are a flicker of geek culture across the face of popular culture, like a light shining briefly through a hole in a wall.
Even video games, now a huge part of popular entertainment, are not immune from the massive barrier between geek culture and pop culture. When most people think about video games, they think about a handful of big names, either new and super-popular series like Call of Duty, Madden, and Halo, or decades-old and archetypical properties like Mario and Sonic. Most gaming publications make a distinction between "casual gamers" (fans of easily accessible, readily available games like Bejeweled and Farmville) and "hardcore gamers," (fans of games that actually come on discs and cost $60 a pop), but they ignore the distinction between "hardcore gamers" and "bro gamers."
Bro gamers aren't geeks, because their knowledge of video games start and end at Madden and Halo. There is little interest for old-school games, retro games, imported games, or even just genre games. Bro gamers (the video game equivalent of "pop culture geeks" ignore 90% of the shelves at Gamestop or the listings on Amazon but get wicked stoked at the newest Grand Theft Auto. Few of them have tried Saint's Row 2, never mind different-genre games like Dead Space, Fallout: New Vegas, or Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3. Fortunately, video games have become so popular as an industry that it's one of the few cases where ff14 gil even obscure titles have gained legitimacy and some form of "post-geek" status. Comic book and role-playing game stores retain the stigma of geek, but Gamestop is a corner-store brand now, thanks to video games' growth into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Of course, if you start talking about how much you love the latest SMT game or whinge about how Mother 3 won't come to the US, you'll still probably get reactions similar to the face a dog makes when you show him a card trick.
Finally, let's look at the PC in PCMag.com: computers. It's arguably the biggest case of the "un-geeking" or a subject, and yet it perfectly shows how it remains the case. Computer use has grown from a niche activity among math nerds and engineers into something everyone does as a simple aspect of modern life. However, even computer use is only embraced on the surface for the vast majority of people. These days anyone can get online, chat with friends, Tweet, use Facebook, and perform many other activities on their computers. How many of those people could tell you what the different components are if they cracked open the cases of those computers? How many could replace their CPU, or graphics card, or even build a new computer from scratch? Of those, how many go to the extra trouble of setting up bay busses, water blocks, SLI graphics card setups, and CPU overclocking? Everyone knows how ffxiv gil to use a computer on a basic level, but only a few out of every hundred or thousand really understand its inner workings,
or care to learn. And there is the line between a computer user and a geek, just as thick and obvious as the line between a pop culture fan and a geek.
Geek culture requires not just enthusiasm, but depth and scope. Those latter two characteristics are why geekdom will never be truly co-opted by popular culture. Every media, every activity, ever genre and sub-genre and sub-sub-genre has so much variety and depth that you just can't cover it in a news report, or a water-cooler chat, or even a two-hour show on G4. You can scrape off the shiniest bits and pretend they represent the entire thing, but in the end, you're still just getting a tiny speck of what geek culture is. As long as there are small stores, small presses, and boundless enthusiasm for the most specific things, geek culture will remain both safe and alienating.
On the bright side, we have the Internet now, so even if your local friends don't care about your hobbies of collecting Generation One Transformers or the works of Takashi Miike, you can safely assume that there are at least half a dozen message boards and Web sites populated with thousands of fans. And those people, my buy ffxiv gil friends, are true geeks. And yes, I am one of them.
2011年2月9日星期三
2011年2月8日星期二
'Roommate' earns top box-office bunk with $15.6M
The college thriller "The Roommate" has runescape accounts moved into the top spot at the box office with a $15.6 million debut during a typically slow Super Bowl weekend in which the NFL championship game preoccupies movie fans.
The Sony release features Leighton Meester as a psycho freshman who becomes obsessed with her new roomie (Minka Kelly).
The 3-D underwater cave adventure "Sanctum," whose producers include "Avatar" creator James Cameron, drew modest crowds and came in second with $9.2 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Released by Universal, "Sanctum" is a survival story about explorers trapped underground in flooded caves during a monster storm.
The previous weekend's No. 1 movie, Anthony Hopkins' exorcism thriller "The Rite," fell steeply to sixth-place with $5.6 million. The Warner Bros. release raised its 10-day total to $23.7 million.
Revenue estimates were off sharply on Sunday as football fans gave movies a pass in favor of the big game. Even without the Super Bowl, though, it was another sleepy weekend at theaters, with overall business runescape gold down for the 13th-straight weekend compared to last year, when Cameron's 3-D sensation "Avatar" still was riding high.
"I think Hollywood would be crying right now were it not for the `Avatar' excuse. It really was an anomaly how well that film was doing in January and February last year," said Paul Dergarabedian, analyst for box-office tracker Hollywood.com.
This weekend's receipts came in at $86 million, down 25 percent from the same weekend in 2010, according to Hollywood.com. A year ago, the weekend was led by "Dear John" in first-place with $30.5 million and "Avatar" in second with $22.9 million, a huge number for a film that runescape money already had been in theaters for nearly two months.
More in Entertainment
The New Royals: Insight on Prince William & Kate Middleton's wedding
Full coverage of the royal wedding on Yahoo! News
Complete entertainment coverageLargely because of "Avatar," overall revenues so far this year are running 24 percent behind 2010's.
Still, Sony was happy with the results for "The Roommate," which nearly earned back its $16 million production budget over opening weekend.
Though trashed by critics, the movie gave room for a showy performance from "Gossip Girl" co-star Meester as the wacko roommate.
"She really goes for it," said Rory Bruer, Sony's head of distribution. "Crazy and ff14 gil beautiful. It kind of works for her."
"Sanctum" brought in spare change compared to the billions of "Avatar," though its opening weekend went a long way toward recouping the $12 million that Universal and partner Relativity Media paid for its distribution rights.
And the studio was happy to be in business with Cameron, a pioneer in digital 3-D production.
"Anybody working with this man, you have to revel in the opportunity," said Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for Universal.
While Hollywood is off to a slow start in 2011, the industry still could have a record year for revenue once a huge lineup of late-spring and summer blockbusters arrive, Dergarabedian said.
Last year was front-loaded with "Avatar," but business slowed through much of the summer and fall.
"The long shadow of `Avatar' will start diminishing pretty soon," Dergarabedian said.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Final figures will be released Monday.
Starbucks sees higher 2011 coffee costs buy ffxiv gil but won't raise.
The Sony release features Leighton Meester as a psycho freshman who becomes obsessed with her new roomie (Minka Kelly).
The 3-D underwater cave adventure "Sanctum," whose producers include "Avatar" creator James Cameron, drew modest crowds and came in second with $9.2 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Released by Universal, "Sanctum" is a survival story about explorers trapped underground in flooded caves during a monster storm.
The previous weekend's No. 1 movie, Anthony Hopkins' exorcism thriller "The Rite," fell steeply to sixth-place with $5.6 million. The Warner Bros. release raised its 10-day total to $23.7 million.
Revenue estimates were off sharply on Sunday as football fans gave movies a pass in favor of the big game. Even without the Super Bowl, though, it was another sleepy weekend at theaters, with overall business runescape gold down for the 13th-straight weekend compared to last year, when Cameron's 3-D sensation "Avatar" still was riding high.
"I think Hollywood would be crying right now were it not for the `Avatar' excuse. It really was an anomaly how well that film was doing in January and February last year," said Paul Dergarabedian, analyst for box-office tracker Hollywood.com.
This weekend's receipts came in at $86 million, down 25 percent from the same weekend in 2010, according to Hollywood.com. A year ago, the weekend was led by "Dear John" in first-place with $30.5 million and "Avatar" in second with $22.9 million, a huge number for a film that runescape money already had been in theaters for nearly two months.
More in Entertainment
The New Royals: Insight on Prince William & Kate Middleton's wedding
Full coverage of the royal wedding on Yahoo! News
Complete entertainment coverageLargely because of "Avatar," overall revenues so far this year are running 24 percent behind 2010's.
Still, Sony was happy with the results for "The Roommate," which nearly earned back its $16 million production budget over opening weekend.
Though trashed by critics, the movie gave room for a showy performance from "Gossip Girl" co-star Meester as the wacko roommate.
"She really goes for it," said Rory Bruer, Sony's head of distribution. "Crazy and ff14 gil beautiful. It kind of works for her."
"Sanctum" brought in spare change compared to the billions of "Avatar," though its opening weekend went a long way toward recouping the $12 million that Universal and partner Relativity Media paid for its distribution rights.
And the studio was happy to be in business with Cameron, a pioneer in digital 3-D production.
"Anybody working with this man, you have to revel in the opportunity," said Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for Universal.
While Hollywood is off to a slow start in 2011, the industry still could have a record year for revenue once a huge lineup of late-spring and summer blockbusters arrive, Dergarabedian said.
Last year was front-loaded with "Avatar," but business slowed through much of the summer and fall.
"The long shadow of `Avatar' will start diminishing pretty soon," Dergarabedian said.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Final figures will be released Monday.
Starbucks sees higher 2011 coffee costs buy ffxiv gil but won't raise.
2011年2月7日星期一
Cruz, Bardem baby boy 'doing great
Oscar-winning Spanish film stars runescape gold Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem have had their first child, a healthy baby boy, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.
"Penelope and Javier welcomed their first son into their family last week. Both parents and baby are doing great," said the spokeswoman for Cruz, confirming Spanish press reports.
Cruz gave birth at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills on Saturday, according to the latest edition of the Spanish celebrity magazine Hola!
It published pictures of a beaming Bardem and family members of Cruz at the center, the hospital of choice for Hollywood stars. But it gave no details on the boy's name or his birth weight.
Spokespeople for Cruz and Bardem had so far refused to comment on the Spanish press reports since they emerged Tuesday.
The birth came just three days before Bardem received his third Academy Award nomination, for runescape money his performance in the film "Biutiful" by Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu.
Cruz, 36, and Bardem, 41, met when they starred opposite each other as lusty teens in the Spanish film "Jamon, Jamon," back in 1992.
In 2008, they were back together on the silver screen in Woody Allen's "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," for which Cruz won an Academy Award as best supporting actress.
The couple married in July last year at a ceremony in the Bahamas.
Bardem, also nominated for an Oscar in "Before Night Falls" (2000), won an Academy Award in 2007 for his role in "No Country for Old Men."
Spain's leading daily, El Pais, quoted runescape accounts a family source as saying "the couple want to have as much privacy as possible."
"Friends of Bardem began to suspect (the baby was born) when the actor did not respond to any calls to congratulate him on his (Oscar) nomination," it added.
Bardem changed his work schedule to be at his wife's side for the birth, the paper said.
Hola! said Cruz's mother, Encarna, sister Monica -- also an actress -- and her brother Eduardo were at Cedars-Sinai for the birth.
Bardem's mother, well-known Spanish actress Pilar Bardem, traveled from Madrid on Monday to meet her grandson, according to the magazine.
The actors had kept their romance quiet for years, but Bardem got personal when he won a best actor award at the Cannes film festival in May for his role in "Biutiful."
"I share the joy of this prize with my friend, my companion, my love, Penelope Cruz," Bardem said at the time.
"I owe you so much, and I love you very much," he added, drawing tears from Cruz, a longtime muse of buy ffxiv gil Spanish director Pedro Almodovar.
"Penelope and Javier welcomed their first son into their family last week. Both parents and baby are doing great," said the spokeswoman for Cruz, confirming Spanish press reports.
Cruz gave birth at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills on Saturday, according to the latest edition of the Spanish celebrity magazine Hola!
It published pictures of a beaming Bardem and family members of Cruz at the center, the hospital of choice for Hollywood stars. But it gave no details on the boy's name or his birth weight.
Spokespeople for Cruz and Bardem had so far refused to comment on the Spanish press reports since they emerged Tuesday.
The birth came just three days before Bardem received his third Academy Award nomination, for runescape money his performance in the film "Biutiful" by Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu.
Cruz, 36, and Bardem, 41, met when they starred opposite each other as lusty teens in the Spanish film "Jamon, Jamon," back in 1992.
In 2008, they were back together on the silver screen in Woody Allen's "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," for which Cruz won an Academy Award as best supporting actress.
The couple married in July last year at a ceremony in the Bahamas.
Bardem, also nominated for an Oscar in "Before Night Falls" (2000), won an Academy Award in 2007 for his role in "No Country for Old Men."
Spain's leading daily, El Pais, quoted runescape accounts a family source as saying "the couple want to have as much privacy as possible."
"Friends of Bardem began to suspect (the baby was born) when the actor did not respond to any calls to congratulate him on his (Oscar) nomination," it added.
Bardem changed his work schedule to be at his wife's side for the birth, the paper said.
Hola! said Cruz's mother, Encarna, sister Monica -- also an actress -- and her brother Eduardo were at Cedars-Sinai for the birth.
Bardem's mother, well-known Spanish actress Pilar Bardem, traveled from Madrid on Monday to meet her grandson, according to the magazine.
The actors had kept their romance quiet for years, but Bardem got personal when he won a best actor award at the Cannes film festival in May for his role in "Biutiful."
"I share the joy of this prize with my friend, my companion, my love, Penelope Cruz," Bardem said at the time.
"I owe you so much, and I love you very much," he added, drawing tears from Cruz, a longtime muse of buy ffxiv gil Spanish director Pedro Almodovar.
2011年1月29日星期六
World's highest restaurant opens in Dubai
Visitors and gourmets who plan runescape gold to visit Dubai's newest restaurant "At.mosphere" need a proper budget to dine there, as well as a head for heights. Located on level 122 at the world's highest tower Burj Khalifa, the At.mosphere offers a luxury lounge and grill, along with a round to-down view at the sheikhdom in the Gulf.
Opened with a celebration Sunday, the At.mosphere tries to grasp a share in Dubai's tough hospitality market, where some 30, 000 outlets struggle to lure hungry guests.
Mohammad Alabbar, chairman of real estate developer Emaar, which built the Burj Khalifa, told Xinhua that guests can expect an "unparalleled lounge and dining experience." The At.mosphere is run by Emaar's subsidiary Emaar Hospitality Group.
A closer look at the menu shows, however, that the At.mosphere is not a restaurant for everybody. Reservations have to be booked in advance otherwise the security will let nobody pass the barrier to the runescape money Burj Khalifa's lift. The main lobster costs 590 dirham (160 U.S. dollars), while 150 grams of Japanese Kobe Fillet are priced at 440 dirhams (120 dollars).
Nevertheless, the stylish design and the view from 442 meter down on the skyline of Dubai's business district are guarantees to attract guests, "a must-visit destination," as Marc Dardenne, CEO of Emaar Hospitality Group said.
Dardenne hopes to attract wealthy tourists and business people from the nearby Dubai International Financial Center likewise.
"We already received lots of bookings, especially for our separate dining room for 12 people where privacy is guaranteed," said Christina Sang, the Events Executive at the restaurant, which employs an international mix of staff, including waitresses and waiters from China.
U.S. designer Adam Tihany, who created the runescape accounts inner design of the At.mosphere, said he wanted to create a mood so that even people who have no head for heights will feel well while dining.
"The ceiling lights change in the evening, in order to create a sparkling ambience," said Tihany, who has more than 25 years in international hospitality design, including work with the Shangri- La Hotels in Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore and Kuala Lampur.
The restaurant's kitchen is led by Executive Chef Dwayne Cheer, who brings 13 years of global experience. However, whether the At. mosphere can help Emaar Hospitality's mother company Emaar to attract investors, besides guests, is not sure.
While travel and tourism picked up in Dubai since mid-2010, investors still avoid to invest heavily in the emirate, whose stock market's trading turnover plummeted by more than 60 percent last year.
Since the beginning of 2010, Emaar shares, which are listed at the local stock exchange Dubai Financial Market, have not created shareholder value as they trade up and ffxiv gil down between 3-4 dirhams (0. 88-1.09 dollar).
Opened with a celebration Sunday, the At.mosphere tries to grasp a share in Dubai's tough hospitality market, where some 30, 000 outlets struggle to lure hungry guests.
Mohammad Alabbar, chairman of real estate developer Emaar, which built the Burj Khalifa, told Xinhua that guests can expect an "unparalleled lounge and dining experience." The At.mosphere is run by Emaar's subsidiary Emaar Hospitality Group.
A closer look at the menu shows, however, that the At.mosphere is not a restaurant for everybody. Reservations have to be booked in advance otherwise the security will let nobody pass the barrier to the runescape money Burj Khalifa's lift. The main lobster costs 590 dirham (160 U.S. dollars), while 150 grams of Japanese Kobe Fillet are priced at 440 dirhams (120 dollars).
Nevertheless, the stylish design and the view from 442 meter down on the skyline of Dubai's business district are guarantees to attract guests, "a must-visit destination," as Marc Dardenne, CEO of Emaar Hospitality Group said.
Dardenne hopes to attract wealthy tourists and business people from the nearby Dubai International Financial Center likewise.
"We already received lots of bookings, especially for our separate dining room for 12 people where privacy is guaranteed," said Christina Sang, the Events Executive at the restaurant, which employs an international mix of staff, including waitresses and waiters from China.
U.S. designer Adam Tihany, who created the runescape accounts inner design of the At.mosphere, said he wanted to create a mood so that even people who have no head for heights will feel well while dining.
"The ceiling lights change in the evening, in order to create a sparkling ambience," said Tihany, who has more than 25 years in international hospitality design, including work with the Shangri- La Hotels in Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore and Kuala Lampur.
The restaurant's kitchen is led by Executive Chef Dwayne Cheer, who brings 13 years of global experience. However, whether the At. mosphere can help Emaar Hospitality's mother company Emaar to attract investors, besides guests, is not sure.
While travel and tourism picked up in Dubai since mid-2010, investors still avoid to invest heavily in the emirate, whose stock market's trading turnover plummeted by more than 60 percent last year.
Since the beginning of 2010, Emaar shares, which are listed at the local stock exchange Dubai Financial Market, have not created shareholder value as they trade up and ffxiv gil down between 3-4 dirhams (0. 88-1.09 dollar).
2011年1月27日星期四
Sundance familiar territory for Elizabeth Banks
After cutting her teeth for a decade in runescape gold films like "Seabiscuit," "Spider-Man," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "W," Elizabeth Banks is currently killing it as Jack Donaghy's baby-mama-to-be, Avery Jessup, on 30 Rock.
Returning to her roots at Sundance this year in two comedies, "My Idiot Brother" and "The Details," the native New Englander reflects on her favorite co-stars of all time, studying Shakespeare and swapping emails with David O. Russell.
WHAT FILM BROUGHT YOU TO YOUR FIRST SUNDANCE?
Elizabeth Banks: "Wet Hot American Summer," with Paul Rudd, in 2001. One of my all-time favorites. We had a giant cast and slept three to a bed with people on the floor. I remember going around handing out flyers trying to get people to give us the audience award.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE FILMS YOU HAVE IN THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL?
Banks: "The Details" is a black comedy about the slippery slope of infidelity. Tobey Maguire and I play a couple. Laura Linney is our next-door neighbor. She's incredible in it. We are all obsessing over raccoons in the yard, meanwhile everything is falling apart around us. The director, Jacob Estes, had a movie a few years runescape money ago at Sundance called "Mean Creek." He's a really interesting writer.
WERE THERE CERTAIN FILMS YOU WATCHED TO HELP YOU CHANNEL SUBURBAN MALAISE?
Banks: Not really, but we did spend weeks rehearsing. It's wild because the two films I have in Sundance this year are with two co-stars that I have worked the most with. I think "My Idiot Brother" is my fifth or sixth movie with Paul Rudd, and with Tobey, definitely our sixth movie. This is the first time Tobey has ever acted with me when I've had blonde hair!
DO YOU THINK IT HELPS OR HURTS THE ACTING PROCESS TO BE SO COMFORTABLE WITH A CO-STAR?
Banks: Oh, it helps. Tobey and I have never played a couple, so it was interesting to delve into that together. Paul and I are like two peas in pod. I would make every movie with him if I could. We have a great relationship in "My Idiot Brother." It's one of my favorite characters I have ever played.
IN THAT FILM, YOU PLAY ONE OF THREE SISTERS (ALONG WITH ZOOEY DESCHANEL AND EMILY MORTIMER) WHOSE BROTHER, PLAYED BY RUDD, GETS OUT OF JAIL AFTER A MARIJUANA ARREST, AND ESSENTIALLY DRIVES THEM ALL NUTS?
Banks: Yes! It's about a guy who goes to live runescape accounts with each of his three sisters and ruins their lives. It's sort of in the vein of What About Bob? This person is ruining your life, but he's also solving your problems. He's more of idiot savant than a straight up idiot.
YOU STUDIED ACTING AT THE AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER IN SAN FRANCISCO. HAS THAT TRAINING STUCK WITH YOU?
Banks: Yes, absolutely. The tools you get in a program like ACT are all about classic storytelling. You study Shakespeare, Ibsen, Chekhov and Tennessee Williams. You get a much better understanding of how to tell a story. I'm very proud of the fact that I feel comfortable getting on a stage. That's something that young runescape money actors are embarrassingly bad at.
WHOSE CAREER DID YOU HOPE TO EMULATE WHEN YOU WERE STARTINGOUT?
Banks: It's probably too late now, but when I was coming up I wanted to be the female Tom Hanks. Or Will Smith.
DO YOU LIKE TO SEE YOURSELF AS THREE PARTS OF A WHOLE? MOVIE ELIZABETH, TV ELIZABETH AND THEATER ELIZABETH?
Banks: Somewhat. I think that (kind of range) works well for longevity in a career, but necessarily doesn't help for branding. For example, nobody thinks Michelle Williams should go do "The 40-Year-Old Virgin." She is very specific in what she does and I'm not.
DO PEOPLE RECOGNIZE YOU MOSTLY FROM TV NOW?
Banks: I find people either know me from one thing or another. I remember going to the set of "30 Rock" and Alec Baldwin asked my writer friend on the show, "Is she even funny?" He had only ever seen me in "W" and "Seabiscuit." He wasn't watching "Zack and Miri Make a Porno." And last night, I was emailing with David O. Russell and he was quoting back to me lines from "30 Rock," so I was like, 'I think he thinks I just do TV.'
ARE YOU AT THE POINT WHERE PEOPLE COME TO YOU AND SAY, "I'VE WRITTEN THIS ROLE WITH YOU IN MIND"?
Banks: I find yes, more and more. I think it's just a product of a long career. I'm feeling very lucky. Not auditioning is fabulous! It's nice to go have lunch with someone buy ffxiv gil and then they're like, 'Yeah let's do the movie together.' That's really lovely.
Returning to her roots at Sundance this year in two comedies, "My Idiot Brother" and "The Details," the native New Englander reflects on her favorite co-stars of all time, studying Shakespeare and swapping emails with David O. Russell.
WHAT FILM BROUGHT YOU TO YOUR FIRST SUNDANCE?
Elizabeth Banks: "Wet Hot American Summer," with Paul Rudd, in 2001. One of my all-time favorites. We had a giant cast and slept three to a bed with people on the floor. I remember going around handing out flyers trying to get people to give us the audience award.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE FILMS YOU HAVE IN THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL?
Banks: "The Details" is a black comedy about the slippery slope of infidelity. Tobey Maguire and I play a couple. Laura Linney is our next-door neighbor. She's incredible in it. We are all obsessing over raccoons in the yard, meanwhile everything is falling apart around us. The director, Jacob Estes, had a movie a few years runescape money ago at Sundance called "Mean Creek." He's a really interesting writer.
WERE THERE CERTAIN FILMS YOU WATCHED TO HELP YOU CHANNEL SUBURBAN MALAISE?
Banks: Not really, but we did spend weeks rehearsing. It's wild because the two films I have in Sundance this year are with two co-stars that I have worked the most with. I think "My Idiot Brother" is my fifth or sixth movie with Paul Rudd, and with Tobey, definitely our sixth movie. This is the first time Tobey has ever acted with me when I've had blonde hair!
DO YOU THINK IT HELPS OR HURTS THE ACTING PROCESS TO BE SO COMFORTABLE WITH A CO-STAR?
Banks: Oh, it helps. Tobey and I have never played a couple, so it was interesting to delve into that together. Paul and I are like two peas in pod. I would make every movie with him if I could. We have a great relationship in "My Idiot Brother." It's one of my favorite characters I have ever played.
IN THAT FILM, YOU PLAY ONE OF THREE SISTERS (ALONG WITH ZOOEY DESCHANEL AND EMILY MORTIMER) WHOSE BROTHER, PLAYED BY RUDD, GETS OUT OF JAIL AFTER A MARIJUANA ARREST, AND ESSENTIALLY DRIVES THEM ALL NUTS?
Banks: Yes! It's about a guy who goes to live runescape accounts with each of his three sisters and ruins their lives. It's sort of in the vein of What About Bob? This person is ruining your life, but he's also solving your problems. He's more of idiot savant than a straight up idiot.
YOU STUDIED ACTING AT THE AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER IN SAN FRANCISCO. HAS THAT TRAINING STUCK WITH YOU?
Banks: Yes, absolutely. The tools you get in a program like ACT are all about classic storytelling. You study Shakespeare, Ibsen, Chekhov and Tennessee Williams. You get a much better understanding of how to tell a story. I'm very proud of the fact that I feel comfortable getting on a stage. That's something that young runescape money actors are embarrassingly bad at.
WHOSE CAREER DID YOU HOPE TO EMULATE WHEN YOU WERE STARTINGOUT?
Banks: It's probably too late now, but when I was coming up I wanted to be the female Tom Hanks. Or Will Smith.
DO YOU LIKE TO SEE YOURSELF AS THREE PARTS OF A WHOLE? MOVIE ELIZABETH, TV ELIZABETH AND THEATER ELIZABETH?
Banks: Somewhat. I think that (kind of range) works well for longevity in a career, but necessarily doesn't help for branding. For example, nobody thinks Michelle Williams should go do "The 40-Year-Old Virgin." She is very specific in what she does and I'm not.
DO PEOPLE RECOGNIZE YOU MOSTLY FROM TV NOW?
Banks: I find people either know me from one thing or another. I remember going to the set of "30 Rock" and Alec Baldwin asked my writer friend on the show, "Is she even funny?" He had only ever seen me in "W" and "Seabiscuit." He wasn't watching "Zack and Miri Make a Porno." And last night, I was emailing with David O. Russell and he was quoting back to me lines from "30 Rock," so I was like, 'I think he thinks I just do TV.'
ARE YOU AT THE POINT WHERE PEOPLE COME TO YOU AND SAY, "I'VE WRITTEN THIS ROLE WITH YOU IN MIND"?
Banks: I find yes, more and more. I think it's just a product of a long career. I'm feeling very lucky. Not auditioning is fabulous! It's nice to go have lunch with someone buy ffxiv gil and then they're like, 'Yeah let's do the movie together.' That's really lovely.
2011年1月26日星期三
Seven Foods You Can Eat to Lose Weight
Eliminate this! Avoid that! Way runescape gold too often weight-loss diets seem to revolve around these temporary tactics. But some foods can help you peel off the pounds by eating them rather than deleting them. Incorporate these sumptuous “loser” foods into your cuisine to help you win at losing.
1. Eggs
Get cracking! New findings from a University of Connecticut study will have you dropping that doughy bagel for good and picking up a plate of eggs. The study concluded that choosing eggs for breakfast can help adults manage hunger while reducing calorie consumption throughout the day. And findings from a University of Kansas Medical Center study suggest that teens are less hungry and eat fewer calories at lunch when they choose a protein-rich breakfast. In fact, the protein-rich egg is the original perfectly-portioned food at just 75 calories a pop—including the yolk.
Tip: Always eat breakfast. Try this one on for size. Prepare one organic egg over-easy in 1/2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil and season to taste. Serve on a slice of whole grain toast, top with fresh baby arugula, and squirt with fresh lemon juice. 200 calories. (1 egg = 75 calories.)
2. Pistachios
It’s okay to be a little nutty. Nut eaters tend to have lower body-fat levels. But not all nuts are created equal. One of the best picks: pistachios. Call them the “skinny nuts.” Pistachios have a significant amount of protein, healthy fat and dietary fiber, all of which can boost your feeling of fullness and the length of time it takes before you get those pesky hunger pangs. Plus, UCLA researchers studied overweight adults who were able to lose the equivalent runescape money of 10–12 pounds over three months by cutting 500 calories and adding an afternoon 3-ounce in-shell pistachio snack.
Tip: Choose in-shell pistachios instead of those already shelled. They take longer to eat, slowing consumption time. Empty pistachio shells act as a key visual cue, encouraging “mindfulness” as one eats, ultimately curbing calorie consumption. 30 pistachios = 100 calories.
3. Pizza Slice
Okay, so this idea is a bit of a stretch. Or is it? A large slice of plain cheese pizza on a thin or hand-tossed crust is a just-right portion for dieters. Pile on lots of fresh veggies, and it’s a nutritiously-balanced entree. Nutrition experts say that planning favorite foods into a healthful meal plan is a key for long-term weight management. Even the American Dietetic Association suggests pizza can be a nutritious pick! And in a brand new British Journal of Nutrition-published study, researchers found that including water, coffee, tea, diet soda, fruit, soup, cereal, pasta and, yes, pizza in the diet weren’t associated with higher calorie intakes and, in some cases, were connected to lower overall calorie intakes.
Tip: Savor a cheese or veggie hand-tossed runescape accounts or thin crust pizza slice instead of overindulging in one (or more) meaty, way-too-greasy deep dish or thick crust pieces. One large slice of a 14-inch hand-tossed cheese pizza provides about 240 calories. Make it a veggie slice and you’ll add just 10 calories—plus lots more interest, satisfaction and a big nutritional boost.
4. Green Tea
Sip yourself slim. In a Phytochemistry-published review of green tea health research, it’s been shown that drinking green tea daily can be beneficial for good health, including weight management. It’s mainly due to its catechins, which are plant compounds with antioxidant properties. A recent Korean study conducted on obese mice suggests that green tea EGCG, a particular catechin, effectively reduces body fat. What’s more, a French study found that after moderately obese patients (humans) consumed green tea extract for three months, body weight decreased by 4.6 percent. All together, refreshing news!
Tip: Drink a cup of unsweetened green tea daily. Consider eating it, too. For instance, poach chicken in green tea when making chicken salad or use green tea to replace some of the oil in vinaigrette. Try other runescape money flavor varieties, too, like jasmine green tea—my personal favorite! 1 cup unsweetened green tea = 0 calories.
5. Beet juice
Need energy? UK-conducted research published in Journal of Applied Physiology suggests that beet juice boosts stamina. Nitrate, a nutrient found naturally in beet juice, seems to make exercise less exhausting. In fact, it might actually help you exercise for 16 percent longer. The longer you’re able to exercise, the more body fat you’re able to burn, of course. Though this study was conducted on men, I think it’s worth a shot for us ladies! But you can’t just drink beet juice to get these potential effects. You do need to exercise.
Tip: Since beet juice isn’t readily available, simply eat beets. Roast a beet in your microwave oven like you might a potato; peel, cool and slice; and splash it with balsamic vinegar. Enjoy as is or toss onto your favorite salad. 1 beet = 35 calories.
6. Apple
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, so goes the saying. But will it keep the dietitian away? It might! When it comes to fruit, eating it whole rather than drinking or eating ff14 gil it pureed as a sauce is a key to satiety—that feeling of fullness so important when trying to stick to a reduced-calorie eating plan. Results of a Pennsylvania State University study published in Appetite, found this to indeed be the case. Additionally, eating an apple at the beginning of lunch led to a 15 percent calorie drop at that meal. Now that’s something to take a bite out of!
Tip: Hide the candy dish and keep a bowl of apples in sight. I call that the “see food” diet. Nibble an apple a day at the beginning of the meal in which you tend to eat the most calories. 1 apple = 90 calories.
7. Chocolate
Eat chocolate, lose weight. Really! There’s now research suggesting that eating your favorite “guilty pleasure” may in fact help you slim down, guilt-free. A study published in Appetite concluded that confronting temptations (i.e. eating chocolate) doesn’t necessarily undermine self control and may help you meet your long-term goals (i.e. lose weight).
Tip: Purposely plan chocolate into your weight-loss endeavors. After you exercise, enjoy 1 ounce of chocolate to help to replenish your energy supply while helping you reach your weight loss goals. 1-ounce bar Seeds of buy ffxiv gil Change Organic Dark Chocolate = 140 calories.
1. Eggs
Get cracking! New findings from a University of Connecticut study will have you dropping that doughy bagel for good and picking up a plate of eggs. The study concluded that choosing eggs for breakfast can help adults manage hunger while reducing calorie consumption throughout the day. And findings from a University of Kansas Medical Center study suggest that teens are less hungry and eat fewer calories at lunch when they choose a protein-rich breakfast. In fact, the protein-rich egg is the original perfectly-portioned food at just 75 calories a pop—including the yolk.
Tip: Always eat breakfast. Try this one on for size. Prepare one organic egg over-easy in 1/2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil and season to taste. Serve on a slice of whole grain toast, top with fresh baby arugula, and squirt with fresh lemon juice. 200 calories. (1 egg = 75 calories.)
2. Pistachios
It’s okay to be a little nutty. Nut eaters tend to have lower body-fat levels. But not all nuts are created equal. One of the best picks: pistachios. Call them the “skinny nuts.” Pistachios have a significant amount of protein, healthy fat and dietary fiber, all of which can boost your feeling of fullness and the length of time it takes before you get those pesky hunger pangs. Plus, UCLA researchers studied overweight adults who were able to lose the equivalent runescape money of 10–12 pounds over three months by cutting 500 calories and adding an afternoon 3-ounce in-shell pistachio snack.
Tip: Choose in-shell pistachios instead of those already shelled. They take longer to eat, slowing consumption time. Empty pistachio shells act as a key visual cue, encouraging “mindfulness” as one eats, ultimately curbing calorie consumption. 30 pistachios = 100 calories.
3. Pizza Slice
Okay, so this idea is a bit of a stretch. Or is it? A large slice of plain cheese pizza on a thin or hand-tossed crust is a just-right portion for dieters. Pile on lots of fresh veggies, and it’s a nutritiously-balanced entree. Nutrition experts say that planning favorite foods into a healthful meal plan is a key for long-term weight management. Even the American Dietetic Association suggests pizza can be a nutritious pick! And in a brand new British Journal of Nutrition-published study, researchers found that including water, coffee, tea, diet soda, fruit, soup, cereal, pasta and, yes, pizza in the diet weren’t associated with higher calorie intakes and, in some cases, were connected to lower overall calorie intakes.
Tip: Savor a cheese or veggie hand-tossed runescape accounts or thin crust pizza slice instead of overindulging in one (or more) meaty, way-too-greasy deep dish or thick crust pieces. One large slice of a 14-inch hand-tossed cheese pizza provides about 240 calories. Make it a veggie slice and you’ll add just 10 calories—plus lots more interest, satisfaction and a big nutritional boost.
4. Green Tea
Sip yourself slim. In a Phytochemistry-published review of green tea health research, it’s been shown that drinking green tea daily can be beneficial for good health, including weight management. It’s mainly due to its catechins, which are plant compounds with antioxidant properties. A recent Korean study conducted on obese mice suggests that green tea EGCG, a particular catechin, effectively reduces body fat. What’s more, a French study found that after moderately obese patients (humans) consumed green tea extract for three months, body weight decreased by 4.6 percent. All together, refreshing news!
Tip: Drink a cup of unsweetened green tea daily. Consider eating it, too. For instance, poach chicken in green tea when making chicken salad or use green tea to replace some of the oil in vinaigrette. Try other runescape money flavor varieties, too, like jasmine green tea—my personal favorite! 1 cup unsweetened green tea = 0 calories.
5. Beet juice
Need energy? UK-conducted research published in Journal of Applied Physiology suggests that beet juice boosts stamina. Nitrate, a nutrient found naturally in beet juice, seems to make exercise less exhausting. In fact, it might actually help you exercise for 16 percent longer. The longer you’re able to exercise, the more body fat you’re able to burn, of course. Though this study was conducted on men, I think it’s worth a shot for us ladies! But you can’t just drink beet juice to get these potential effects. You do need to exercise.
Tip: Since beet juice isn’t readily available, simply eat beets. Roast a beet in your microwave oven like you might a potato; peel, cool and slice; and splash it with balsamic vinegar. Enjoy as is or toss onto your favorite salad. 1 beet = 35 calories.
6. Apple
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, so goes the saying. But will it keep the dietitian away? It might! When it comes to fruit, eating it whole rather than drinking or eating ff14 gil it pureed as a sauce is a key to satiety—that feeling of fullness so important when trying to stick to a reduced-calorie eating plan. Results of a Pennsylvania State University study published in Appetite, found this to indeed be the case. Additionally, eating an apple at the beginning of lunch led to a 15 percent calorie drop at that meal. Now that’s something to take a bite out of!
Tip: Hide the candy dish and keep a bowl of apples in sight. I call that the “see food” diet. Nibble an apple a day at the beginning of the meal in which you tend to eat the most calories. 1 apple = 90 calories.
7. Chocolate
Eat chocolate, lose weight. Really! There’s now research suggesting that eating your favorite “guilty pleasure” may in fact help you slim down, guilt-free. A study published in Appetite concluded that confronting temptations (i.e. eating chocolate) doesn’t necessarily undermine self control and may help you meet your long-term goals (i.e. lose weight).
Tip: Purposely plan chocolate into your weight-loss endeavors. After you exercise, enjoy 1 ounce of chocolate to help to replenish your energy supply while helping you reach your weight loss goals. 1-ounce bar Seeds of buy ffxiv gil Change Organic Dark Chocolate = 140 calories.
2011年1月25日星期二
Top 10 Best “B” Movies Ever Made
There exists a fine line between the runescape gold realm of “B” movie magic and plain ol’ garbage filmmaking. These films must achieve a precarious balance between low budgets, unknown (or notoriously terrible) actors and unpredictable plots to create a piece of art so interesting and unforgettable that it inspires a cult following. The below list is a brief run-down of ten of the most notable of these fantastically bad films.
10. Psycho Beach Party – 2000
This is a relatively recent addition to the list of B-Movie must-sees. This spoofy blend of 1960’s beach party flick and 1970’s slasher film (think “Gidget” meets “Halloween”) offers everything from almost-naked bikini babes to surfing bombshells with multiple personalities. Starring some big names such as Thomas Gibson and Nicholas Brendan, this film is memorable for the premise alone.
9. Barbarella: Queen of the Galaxy – 1968
Featuring Jane Fonda as the title character, this futuristic (the year 40,000 if you can suspend your disbelief) film follows the adventures of increasingly-more-scantily-clad heroine Barbarella as she endeavors to rescue the inventor of the Positronic Ray in order to save the Earth from Untold Destruction. Laden with blatant runescape money sexual innuendo and a truly ridiculous sci-fi storyline, this film is a requirement for any true connoisseur of cult classics.
8. Manos: Hands of Fate – 1966
Hailed as one of the worst movies of all time, this film was rocketed (well, more like lobbed) into B-Movie history by the irreverent and wonderful series “Mystery Science Theater 3000.” The poorly edited (and written…and acted) film follows the misadventures of a vacationing family when they encounter a harem-like pagan cult of creepy women under the control of the dashingly mustachioed “Master”, and guarded by an inept redneck. While the movie alone is atrocious (x 1000), the viewing of said flick through the filter of MSTK3 is not to be missed.
7. Dolemite – 1975
Falling under the sub-category of Blaxploitation films, this movie is one the most notorious of the genre. The film centers around the street-wise pimp Dolemite (created and played by comedian Rudy Ray Moore) as he tries to save his club (read: brothel) from the clutches of a corrupt detective and runescape accounts a villainous rival pimp named Willie Green. While the character of Dolemite made his debut in several of Moore’s works prior to the 1975 release of the self-titled work, this irreverent film cemented his place as a B-Movie legend.6. Krull – 1983
While this futuristic fantasy flick can boast such stars as Liam Neeson and Robbie Coltrane (early roles for both) as well as a respectably high budget, there are a few key phrases that demonstrate why this film falls firmly in the B-movie category. Galaxy-saving babies, a Black Fortress, alien cyborgs, kidnapped princesses, blind prophets and the Glaive (think a space-age ninja star) are but a few of these fantastic phrases.
5. Plan 9 From Outer Space – 1959
This remarkable piece of film magic was directed by Ed Wood, one of the most legendary (and notorious) B-movie directors of all time. It is also credited as the final film of the world renowned Bela Lugosi, although the footage including Lugosi was filmed three years prior as part of another project. The plot follows a race of extraterrestrials runescape gold as they attempt to halt the construction of a Doomsday device on Earth that will have the power to destroy the universe. Largely panned upon its release, the film was highlighted as B-movie royalty once more by serving as the centerpiece of the 1994 film “Ed Wood”, a comedic biopic of the famous cross-dressing director.
4. Blacula – 1972
Perhaps the most famous of the Blaxploitaion films, this horror flick reveals the infamous Count Dracula to be racist as well as plain old evil, when he turns an African prince into a vampire and bestows upon him the unfortunate moniker of “Blacula.” After two centuries of imprisonment, the prince is freed, only to bring death and destruction to the streets of modern Los Angeles in the search for his lost wife. This campy and heavily clichéd film was the very first to win “Best Horror Film” at the Saturn Awards in 1972.
3. The Evil Dead – 1981/ Evil Dead II – 1987/ Army of Darkness – 1993
The Evil Dead series, starring Bruce Campbell (an undisputed B-movie master) as Ash, the one-handed chainsaw and shotgun-welding hero has become synonymous with the phrase “cult classic”. As the heroic Ash battles the wretched “Deadites”, he must simultaneously rescue ff14 gil damsels in distress and deliver some of the most famous lines in B-movie history. The Evil Dead series has even inspired video games such as the hilarious “Fist Full of Boomstick”.
2. C.H.U.D. – 1984
This film was originally panned by critics, but went on to receive the award for Best Fantasy Film at the Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film. During the course of searching for several missing persons, it is discovered that a race of mutated humans is living under the streets of the city (naturally, as the result of a huge government conspiracy involving nuclear radiation). The unfortunate, flesh-eating beings are known as “Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers”, or C.H.U.D., for short. This gory horror-fest has topped the list of greatest pulp films for over two decades.
1. The Abominable Dr. Phibes – 1971
As is only appropriate, the number one spot must go to the incredible Vincent Price. In true B-horror style, the heartbroken and disfigured organist Dr. Phibes carves a bloody and vicious path of vengeance through the chain of doctors he believes are responsible for the death of his beloved wife, drawing on the biblical plagues for inspiration. This film received high praise from the critics (even spawning a sequel), as it exhibits every aspect of a truly fantastic campy cult classic.
Do you agree with our selection? We intentionally left Snakes On a Plane off the list because This Blog Rules (TBR) does not deem that to be a true-blue “B” Movie. Let us know buy ffxiv gil your thoughts.
10. Psycho Beach Party – 2000
This is a relatively recent addition to the list of B-Movie must-sees. This spoofy blend of 1960’s beach party flick and 1970’s slasher film (think “Gidget” meets “Halloween”) offers everything from almost-naked bikini babes to surfing bombshells with multiple personalities. Starring some big names such as Thomas Gibson and Nicholas Brendan, this film is memorable for the premise alone.
9. Barbarella: Queen of the Galaxy – 1968
Featuring Jane Fonda as the title character, this futuristic (the year 40,000 if you can suspend your disbelief) film follows the adventures of increasingly-more-scantily-clad heroine Barbarella as she endeavors to rescue the inventor of the Positronic Ray in order to save the Earth from Untold Destruction. Laden with blatant runescape money sexual innuendo and a truly ridiculous sci-fi storyline, this film is a requirement for any true connoisseur of cult classics.
8. Manos: Hands of Fate – 1966
Hailed as one of the worst movies of all time, this film was rocketed (well, more like lobbed) into B-Movie history by the irreverent and wonderful series “Mystery Science Theater 3000.” The poorly edited (and written…and acted) film follows the misadventures of a vacationing family when they encounter a harem-like pagan cult of creepy women under the control of the dashingly mustachioed “Master”, and guarded by an inept redneck. While the movie alone is atrocious (x 1000), the viewing of said flick through the filter of MSTK3 is not to be missed.
7. Dolemite – 1975
Falling under the sub-category of Blaxploitation films, this movie is one the most notorious of the genre. The film centers around the street-wise pimp Dolemite (created and played by comedian Rudy Ray Moore) as he tries to save his club (read: brothel) from the clutches of a corrupt detective and runescape accounts a villainous rival pimp named Willie Green. While the character of Dolemite made his debut in several of Moore’s works prior to the 1975 release of the self-titled work, this irreverent film cemented his place as a B-Movie legend.6. Krull – 1983
While this futuristic fantasy flick can boast such stars as Liam Neeson and Robbie Coltrane (early roles for both) as well as a respectably high budget, there are a few key phrases that demonstrate why this film falls firmly in the B-movie category. Galaxy-saving babies, a Black Fortress, alien cyborgs, kidnapped princesses, blind prophets and the Glaive (think a space-age ninja star) are but a few of these fantastic phrases.
5. Plan 9 From Outer Space – 1959
This remarkable piece of film magic was directed by Ed Wood, one of the most legendary (and notorious) B-movie directors of all time. It is also credited as the final film of the world renowned Bela Lugosi, although the footage including Lugosi was filmed three years prior as part of another project. The plot follows a race of extraterrestrials runescape gold as they attempt to halt the construction of a Doomsday device on Earth that will have the power to destroy the universe. Largely panned upon its release, the film was highlighted as B-movie royalty once more by serving as the centerpiece of the 1994 film “Ed Wood”, a comedic biopic of the famous cross-dressing director.
4. Blacula – 1972
Perhaps the most famous of the Blaxploitaion films, this horror flick reveals the infamous Count Dracula to be racist as well as plain old evil, when he turns an African prince into a vampire and bestows upon him the unfortunate moniker of “Blacula.” After two centuries of imprisonment, the prince is freed, only to bring death and destruction to the streets of modern Los Angeles in the search for his lost wife. This campy and heavily clichéd film was the very first to win “Best Horror Film” at the Saturn Awards in 1972.
3. The Evil Dead – 1981/ Evil Dead II – 1987/ Army of Darkness – 1993
The Evil Dead series, starring Bruce Campbell (an undisputed B-movie master) as Ash, the one-handed chainsaw and shotgun-welding hero has become synonymous with the phrase “cult classic”. As the heroic Ash battles the wretched “Deadites”, he must simultaneously rescue ff14 gil damsels in distress and deliver some of the most famous lines in B-movie history. The Evil Dead series has even inspired video games such as the hilarious “Fist Full of Boomstick”.
2. C.H.U.D. – 1984
This film was originally panned by critics, but went on to receive the award for Best Fantasy Film at the Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film. During the course of searching for several missing persons, it is discovered that a race of mutated humans is living under the streets of the city (naturally, as the result of a huge government conspiracy involving nuclear radiation). The unfortunate, flesh-eating beings are known as “Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers”, or C.H.U.D., for short. This gory horror-fest has topped the list of greatest pulp films for over two decades.
1. The Abominable Dr. Phibes – 1971
As is only appropriate, the number one spot must go to the incredible Vincent Price. In true B-horror style, the heartbroken and disfigured organist Dr. Phibes carves a bloody and vicious path of vengeance through the chain of doctors he believes are responsible for the death of his beloved wife, drawing on the biblical plagues for inspiration. This film received high praise from the critics (even spawning a sequel), as it exhibits every aspect of a truly fantastic campy cult classic.
Do you agree with our selection? We intentionally left Snakes On a Plane off the list because This Blog Rules (TBR) does not deem that to be a true-blue “B” Movie. Let us know buy ffxiv gil your thoughts.
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