Hidden Gems of the Youtubes: Perfect Landing, Right On, Right On! Pt. 1

Crazy Airplane Lady

Juxtaposed: The Other Side vs. Full Metal Jacket

The Other Side is a comic series written by Jason Aaron. It is very similar in story and tone to Stanley Kubrick's 1987 film Full Metal Jacket. The stories parallel each other in that they both follow new recruits through basic training up until they are shipped off to Vietnam. However, The Other Side offers a little more depth and perspective than Full Metal Jacket. For one The Other Side is narrated by two different characters on opposing sides of the war, unlike Full Metal Jacket which only offers an American account and lacks the focus the The Other Side offers. Aaron delves into the ideologies of each character instead of a one-sided account of the war. Its interesting to see the differing values and beliefs about the war that is not typically seen in war stories.  In addition to these contrasting accounts The Other Side gives more insight and detail into the psychological effects of war. The comic is narrated by both characters, and each narrator gives an account of the deteriorating effect the war has on their spirits. Not to take away from the Kubrick's film, but The Other Side does offer a much deeper understanding of the consequence of war. If you're interested in the Vietnam War this novel is a definite must read, and if anything it is a great companion piece to Full Metal Jacket.



TV Land: The Best Show on Cable Television Ya Dingus

Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule

A weirdly, wonderful pastiche with all the absurd and subversive qualities of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, but focused wholly on John C. Reilly's brilliantly nuanced portrayal of a lonely, self-described doctor and his attempts to examine a world that he feels alienated from.  If this sounds sad it's really not.  At times the surreal comedy disguised as a cable access show is uproariously funny, at others awkwardly revealing.  Steve, with the help of his cameraman Denny, cluelessly discusses many topics from friendship to family to fear to food, and the results are always enjoyable.  Steve appears on Fridays on Adult Swim, so for your health check it out!

Juxtaposed: Evil Dead vs. Evil Dead

Crazy Critters: The Wolf That Became a Whale

Andrewsarchus
 

Andrewsarchus mongoliensis was a land-dwelling, wolf-like mammal that lived in the Eocene epoch which was roughly between 45 and 36 million years ago.  Everything known about Andrewsarchus was derived from its skull which was nearly 2 feet wide and 3 feet long, twice the size of a brown bear.  It was 11 feet long in size and stood 6 feet tall; it is considered to be the largest carnivorous land-dwelling mammal known.

What's really interesting about Andrewsarchus is that it hunted or scavenged (scientists are unsure) for food on beaches and over time ventured further and further out into the ocean, eventually evolving into an ancient species of whale.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrewsarchus

http://pages.geo.wvu.edu/~kammer/g231/Whales.pdf

Sincerely Bad: Top 5 Best Worst Movies

1. Troll 2

Dinner Scene from Troll 2:

      

2. The Room

Best Lines from The Room:

3. Deadfall

 Nic Cage from Deadfall:

4. Leprechaun: In the Hood

5. Mac and Me

Paul Rudd's favorite clip:

Comic Gold: Superheroes Beat Up Hitler

Trailer Hitch:Big Man Japan

Juxtaposed: 12 Years a Slave vs. Django Unchained

12 Years a Slave and Django Unchained are movies that contain the same subject matter, but with a completely different tone.  Both movies chronicle slavery's impact in American history, and its effect on the people living through it.  Both movies reveal in detail the horrifying reality of the brutality and senselessness of the institution of slavery.  However, while Django does show the barbaric nature of slavery, it is also a very light watch and often times funny.  The movie is very much a revenge fantasy, and all the terrible people in the film get the punishment they deserve; whereas, 12 Years, which is based on a true account, is a darker portrayal of the true hopelessness and futility caused by slavery.  If you're looking for an enjoyable watch and gaining some insight into slavery watch Django, but if you want to experience a deeper understanding of the despair and finality of one of the darkest times in American history and truly get a glimpse of the physical, psychological, and spiritual toll this system of savagery had on the lives of African Americans watch 12 Years a Slave.