NASA: To the Moon and Beyond
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 30, 2006 in Science
This is a great video from NASA on their future space exploration projects:
Below: Artists conception of the NASA Ares spacecraft.
Ancient Computer Surprises Scientists
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 30, 2006 in Science
This is an amazing story of a computer found from ancient Greece:
An Ancient Computer Surprises Scientists
“A century ago, pieces of a strange mechanism with bronze gears and dials were recovered from an ancient shipwreck off the coast of Greece. Historians of science concluded that this was an instrument that calculated and illustrated astronomical information, particularly phases of the Moon and planetary motions, in the second century B.C.
The Antikythera Mechanism, sometimes called the world’s first computer, has now been examined with the latest in high-resolution imaging systems and three-dimensional X-ray tomography. A team of researchers was able to decipher many inscriptions and reconstruct the gear functions, revealing, they said, “an unexpected degree of technical sophistication for the period.”
The researchers said their findings showed that the inscriptions related to lunar-solar motions and the gears were a mechanical representation of the irregularities of the Moon’s orbital course across the sky, as theorized by the astronomer Hipparchos. They established the date of the mechanism at 150-100 B.C.”
Below: Fragments of the Antikythera Mechanism, left, have now been examined with the latest in high-resolution imaging systems and three-dimensional X-ray tomography.
For the geeky fanboy, the original reference story is from here:
Lego Batman
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 29, 2006 in Hobbies and Collections
It’s Lego AND Batman, what else more could a fanboy need?
Tony Scott to Remake ‘The Warriors’
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 29, 2006 in Cinema
Can’t a good director like Tony Scott get a * new * project to work on? Have all the scriptwriters in Hollywood run out of ideas?
Exclusive: Scott Retools The Warriors
Tony plans bigger, bangier update
:Tony Scott, creator of bespoke celluloid chaos since 1985, has revealed exclusively to Empire that his next project, a remake of Walter Hill¹s The Warriors, will be a very different take on the gritty tale of a gang of teenage hoods battling their way home across enemy turf. For a start he’s moved it 3000 miles West, to L.A.. “Well, New York is visually vertical,” he tells Empire, “and L.A. is more horizontal so that¹ll be a big visual difference”.”
…and setting it in LA? Didn’t they already do that trick with the 2nd “Escape from NY” film!
Elebits on Wii
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 28, 2006 in Videogames
I have to admit I haven’t been excited about the game industry for quite some time, but this year Wii seems to be changing that. What’s odd is that when I first heard about Wii my thinking was “this machine can’t live up to the hype” and sure enough I was right, because the deserved hype isn’t so much about the hardware as good old fashioned game design which feels much more innovative and more interesting than the usual “Football 2007” and “Yet Another More Realistic Shooter Game”.
Elebits on Wii is an example of one of those games that’s going to make the Wii a sure winner. Even from a casual glance Elebits from Konami looks like a fun game to play. The game design works like this:
“Elebits are creatures that serve as an energy source for the world, which strangely, suddenly go on strike. The name is a portmanteau of “electricity”, for their power, and “bits”, for their tiny size. As the player hunts the Elebits, the game world will slowly evolve.”
Here is a promotional video explaining the back story and some character designs:
Retro Geek Watches
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 27, 2006 in Hobbies and Collections
I love the industrial designs on these! Here are some very cool retro geek watches from Japan:
The Sims on Wii
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 26, 2006 in Videogames
The first official trailer (from Japan) for the Sims on Wii:
This looks very cool! I think Wii is going to win the field by focusing on doing great game design. Here is a scan from a Japanese magazine:
Trailer for Star Trek: Of Gods And Men
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 26, 2006 in Star Trek
The extended trailer for the new Star Trek fan film “Of Gods And Men” is now available. What makes this fan production cool is that it includes cast members from the original Star Trek series:
“Star Trek: Of Gods and Men, an all-new three-part mini-series webisode featuring many Trek alumni, wrapped production yesterday in Los Angeles. A 40th anniversary gift to Star Trek’s loyal fans, Star Trek: Of Gods and Men will be released exclusively on the Internet as downloads, each 30 minutes in length.
Star Trek: Of Gods and Men stars Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols and Grace Lee Whitney (Uhura, Chekov and Rand of the original series) along with Alan Ruck (Captain John Harriman of the 7th feature film, Star Trek Generations). Joining them are Garrett Wang and Ethan Phillips (Voyager); Cirroc Lofton, Chase Masterson and JG Hertzler (Deep Space Nine), Gary Graham and Crystal Allen (Enterprise), Herb Jefferson (Battlestar Galactica) plus Tim Russ (Voyager), who also directed.”
‘Back to the Future’ DeLorean Replica
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 25, 2006 in Hobbies and Collections
This ‘Back to the Future’ DeLorean replica looks amazing! If you have the cash it’s for sale on eBay:
1981 DeLorean: DMC-12 BTTF Replica
“This DeLorean has been completely restored by me, (The manger of Delorean Motor Center) from the frame up, every nut, bolt, washer, wire, and part of this DeLorean has been eather replaced or restored at Delorean Motor Center in Garden Grove, Ca. I will also include my picture book of the restoration work, with the car. It runs and drives perfectly. This is the most dependable Back to the Future Delorean on the road.”
…ummm yeah, but does the time travel functionality work?
Majokko Rikachan no Magical Biyuuden
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 24, 2006 in Japanese TV
It can’t get any cuter than this! Majokko Rikachan no Magical Biyuuden is a Japanese TV show that ran for 60 episodes in late 2004. It featured the members of v-u-den along with other Hello! Project members. The series seems to be the opposite of a reality TV show:
J-Pop singers v-u-den are Ishikawa Rika (石川梨華, leader), Miyoshi Erika (三好絵梨香), and Okada Yui (岡田唯):
It’s the old Kung Fu bra move!
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 24, 2006 in Cinema
“Not casually picked up brassieres help beauty”:
James Bond Posters
With new Bond movie out this is an entertaining gallery to check out:
“James bond posters have become one of the most popular items of film memorabilia. Launched to advertise Dr No in 1962, the posters have continued to become extremely popular and successful. With some of the rarest original posters reaching thousands of pounds, the world of James Bond posters forever continues to astound, aspire and entertain.
The James Bond movie posters have always captured elements that have made the films so successful. Often featuring scantily clad seductive women, exotic locations and devious villains; the posters portray a dangerous – sometimes violent, yet exciting, combination of elements. In an ever-increasing political correctness climate, it is perhaps the James Bond posters risqué elements that make them so appealing.”
Soundrop Moe
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 22, 2006 in Hobbies and Collections
Soundrop Moe is a keychain toy by Bandai that plays an ultra cute anime voice when you click on it:
Revenge of the Nerds, Not!
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 22, 2006 in Cinema
According to Variety Hollywood has pulled the plug on the a remake of the classic 1984 film “Revenge of the Nerds”. The article claims the head of the movie studio killed the flick because “the film felt smaller than the kind of pic he’s aiming to release” — as if they were expecting the next Citizen Kane?! Anyway, nerds rest assured no one is going to mess with your classic. Besides everywhere know that “Real Genius” (1985) was far superior to the lowbrow humor in “Revenge of Nerds”…
Below: The nerds, their time has come! And gone…
Xylish Chewing Gum Commercials
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 21, 2006 in Japanese TV
These Japanese chewing gum commercials reminds me a great deal of photographer David LaChapelle:
Bill Sienkiewicz Website
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 21, 2006 in Comic Books
Legendary graphic novel artist Bill Sienkiewicz has launched his official art website:
The one thing that I love about Sienkiewicz is the high quality of his draftsmanship and his use of color, which is wonderful. This site well worth checking out for any comics fanboy as it’s packed with all sorts of galleries of his artwork. In fact you can even buy his artwork online which is sorta of neat, however if you’re on a low budget you can also download wallpaper for free.
Jamal and the Wasp Bunker
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 21, 2006 in Videogames
A very cute Spiders vs. Wasps game with an Indian soundtrack:
Kid Koala: Fender Bender
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 20, 2006 in Animation
This is a nice animated video from DJ Kid Koala:
So who is Kid Koala? “Kid Koala, is a Montreal, Quebec based DJ and turntablist. He is signed to the British Ninja Tune record label and also tours and performs with a jam band, Bullfrog. He has also made appearances with many other artists and has made major contributions to Deltron 3030, Gorillaz, Lovage and numerous other bands.”
Amazing Star Wars Toy Collection
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 20, 2006 in Hobbies and Collections, Star Wars
This looks like one huge Star Wars toy collection (over 60 photos):
Amazing Star Wars Toy Collection
…even with a broadband connection it took me several minutes for my browser to load all of the images!
