James Erwin, a writer for software manuals in Des Moines, Iowa, responded to a Reddit thread wondering what would happen if the U.S. Marines battled the Roman Empire. His comments lit up the Internet:
The 35th MEU is on the ground at Kabul, preparing to deploy to southern Afghanistan. Suddenly, it vanishes.
The section of Bagram where the 35th was gathered suddenly reappears in a field outside Rome, on the west bank of the Tiber River. Without substantially prepared ground under it, the concrete begins sinking into the marshy ground and cracking. Colonel Miles Nelson orders his men to regroup near the vehicle depot—nearly all of the MEU’s vehicles are still stripped for air transport. He orders all helicopters airborne, believing the MEU is trapped in an earthquake.
“How One Response to a Reddit Query Became a Big Budget Flick.” — Jason Fagone, Wired
See also: “Flick Chicks.” Mindy Kaling, New Yorker, Oct. 3, 2011
Saving for later, because: ridiculous.
Only on IFC. Sylvester, Rufus, Cathy, Gwendolyn, Bridget, Big Man, Rosie the Nosy Neighbor, Twan and Pimp Lucius are back!
Everyone, this is Important. There is a lot we need to discuss about Trapped In The Closet: The Next Installment.
First, I’m excited to see all of the names listed above, with the exception of Pimp Lucius. While Chapters 1-12 were populated by characters who were grounded in some sort of reality, Chapters 13-22 (a separate production which saw the introduction of Pimp Lucius) were more populated with frustrating caricatures. Kellz clearly understood that people were finding some comedy in his hip-hopera and he took it way overboard with characters like Pimp Lucius and Rosie the Nosy Neighbor’s flatulent husband.
Second, it’s a real bummer that James, the cop, is not listed above. I guess Michael K. Williams is suddenly too busy for this project?
Third, I hope they produce another recap like this.
Fourth, I hope that for continuity’s sake, they still have the crappy effects.
Fifth, I hope R. Kelly still sings all of the sound effects, such as phones ringing and police sirens.
Sixth, Chapters 1-22 take place in a pre-smartphone time (a Motorola RAZR is an indicator of wealth), yet phones are the main communication tool between all of the characters. Chapter 22’s cliffhanger ends with everybody on the phone with each other. How will smartphones factor into the story now that are so prevalent?
Seventh, Chapter 9 is the best chapter. All of the Chapters are on VEVO.
The renaissance has begun.
[video]
“Happy to see Etch A Sketch, an American classic toy, is DRAWING attention with political candidates as a cultural icon and important piece of our society. A profound toy, highly recognized and loved by all, is now SHAKING up the national debate. Nothing is as quintessentially American as Etch A Sketch and a good old fashion political debate.” — Etch a Sketch speaks! Read more of the company’s exclusive statement to VF, here. (via vanityfair)
Girl Walk: 77-minute dance-film accompanies Girl Talk's All Day - Boing Boing -
This is what I’m doing Saturday.
Hunger Games trilogy: How will they make a movie out of Mockingjay? - Slate Magazine -
The third book of the Hunger Games trilogy commits the worst sin a book like this can: it’s made itself impossible to be made into a movie.
The Trayvon Martin Killing, Explained -
Get up to speed. Get updates. Get angry.
via nick shindell
bucatini for life
“Why extremists always focus on women remains a mystery to me. But they all seem to. It doesn’t matter what country they’re in or what religion they claim. They all want to control women. They want to control how we dress. They want to control how we act. They even want to control the decisions we make about our own health and our own bodies. Yes, it is hard to believe but even here at home we have to stand up for women’s rights and we have to reject efforts to marginalize any one of us, because America has to set an example for the entire world.” — Hillary Clinton (via apsies)
(via newsweek)
Yes, according to our columnist Virginia Heffernan:
It’s time we sidelined the fine points of obstetrics from public discourse in an election year. Just as girlie magazines are marketed to male readers, public discourse that features women’s body parts should be clearly labeled — as Playboy used to be — “Entertainment for Men.”
(via journo-geekery)