Abercrombie Big In Japan With The Orebeds

100% cotton pinpoint oxford, supersoft, moose embroidery, interior grosgrain neck taping, button-down collar, colored bottom button stitching, Vintage Abercrombie Wash, Muscle Fit. These words mean nothing to me, but for those who have dedicated their pathetic little lives working in those sad little retail kiosks, I'm sure it means a bunch. Anyway, buy it here from Japan and get it shipped back over to the states if you want to get creative with more ways to waste your money.

Hustle & Flow Review

The raw dirty-south underground sound is reignited with Craig Brewer's latest effort. The tight screenplay, professional direction, and superb performances from all of the actors were surprising to say the least. The movie may not appeal for everyone though; the story is not one for those who can't drop the moral standards of one's own socioeconomic background. It's rough, but that's how people at the end of the ladder are truly living it, and that's exactly what the film captures frame by frame. 8.5/10.

The Kingdom Review

Absolutely horrendous. With bad characters, terrible writing, half-assed camera work, and blatant racial profiling as a piss-poor excuse to introduce emotion, there is nothing in this movie worth watching. Don't even try to rent it. 6.0/10.

Before You Sleep, Leave Her Alone

No, not your girlfriend. I'm talking about your dearest computer, whom works hard all day and night for your entertainment needs. Using a light-emitting device before bed like a flickering TV or computer monitor stimulates the brain in a different way than the way the body was intended to move towards sleep (gradually as the sun set) That's why it is so easy to waste sleepless hours flipping from channel to channel (or reading my blog or Digg). The exposure to light stimulates the brain and creates a false alertness and stimulation. So, the solution for smarter and better sleep? Take at least an hour off the computer and read a magazine or something. You'll enjoy better sleep in no time. Read more.

Zodiac Review

From the film's chilling opening sequence, I found myself glued to my seat in fear. Besides being based on a true story, the gritty visual elements Finch introduces are what make the film so undeniably believable. The pacing of the movie is rather done well, if you don't mind lengthy narratives, but don't expect character development to be as prominent as seen in his other works such as Fight Club. Overall, though, the execution is near-perfect and is one of the most nerve-racking detective drama since Se7en. 9.2/10.

300 Revisited Review

Improving where old filmmakers couldn't, graphical detail exploitation is taken to the maximum level - think Spartacus, but without having to hire hundreds of people to play slaves. So where does 300 fall short? The problem with 300 is not its presentation, but its storyline. To be blunt, it's a video game. Wave and waves of enemies, a side story that nobody cares about, and a very unreasonable badass commander? Yep, that's a video game alright. 7.5/10.

Introducing IKEA's Stockholm Collection

Though they are still constructed from the same laminate + particle board combination, the harder oak layer should somewhat justify the hefty price tag of IKEA's new premium furniture collection. My favorites include the magnificent coffee table, two seater, and side bench. View the entire collection here.

I Am Legend Review

Not the best written movie in my opinion, but it achieves the right level of drama nonetheless. Character development fails to ensue properly until the last few chapters, so you end up with Will Smith fighting himself the during the day - zombies at night. It loops continuously until the end, where he somehow finds God because a pretty girl suggested it. I Am Legend doesn't take the crown story-wise, but the production values are quite apparent. Hence, you can appreciate it without being too critical. 8.2/10.

Sigur Rós - Heima Review

Think of them as the Icelandic Radiohead. Their music gets eaten up by the pop blogospheres day in and day out, but you never really get to know the band personally. In Heima, as the band travels the barren countryside of Iceland, you start to understand their style of music development through miniature commentaries by the band members. With near-perfect cinematography, however, you end up watching the movie more for its stellar performances, and less for band enlightenment. Though it doesn't top Once, it's a super-sonic ambient journey that must be experienced. 8.6/10.

How To Take The Perfect Apartment Photo

Spent tons of money on furnishings now that you're working and bringing in the dough? Want to show it off? Here's a few tips to get the picture just right:

1. Don't use flash. Use natural and artificial light to avoid reflections.
   
2. Take a wide shot. Move into a corner of the room to capture everything.
   
3. Avoid over-prominent ceilings. Make the majority of the photo the room.
4. Complement items in your apartment. Think "balance."
5. Focus. Blurry photos are no fun.
6. Change up the angles. Stand on a chair, lay on the ground, but don't tilt the camera. This is your crib, flaunt it!

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Review

Poor Sweeney, who's lost everything, including his marbles. This recent musical bit by Tim Burton is certainly something. Sure, it would have been nice if someone warned me in advance that it was going to be grim, grotesque, and depressing, but I must say it was better than anything I would have anticipated. I felt Johnny Depp's voice didn't exactly convey the emotion people were looking for at times, perhaps due to the nature of his insane gibberish, yet the movie still covers its holes through great performances, Burton style direction, and lots (I mean lots) of blood. 8.4/10.

T-Tech Flow Computer Backpack

Think better than STM, dedicated manufacturer towards backpacks, and definitely Macbook Pro lovers, and you'll have one of the greatest bags on the market today in terms of design and durability. They're expensive, though, so pay off those Christmas bills before even thinking about getting one.

Ciak Journals Rival Moleskins

If you're all about expressionism, then you've probably got one of these. They're like the Moleskin notebooks (apparently everyone carries one in Europa), but with a lighter page feel. God forbid if you write with a felt pen as it would go through the other side, but they're good bargains nonetheless. Get 'em here.

How To Snag Any Streaming Media Source

Ever find that one video that you really, really want to keep off YouTube, an unreleased song on Myspace, or music off Mog that isn't available anywhere to buy?

Well, this nifty little program covers you in all bases. Basically, here's all there is to it:

1. Download Orbit Downloader.
2. Run Orbit Downloader.
3. Click Tools → Grab++.
4. Go to a music streaming page. For example: Pandora and Mog.
5. Press OK to the Hint disclaimer.
   
6. Refresh the page.
   
7. You'll notice that it will catch anything that comes through. Look for the 3-5MB files for music, 7-12MB files for videos, etc.
8. Check off the files you want, and there you go!
   

Kana Tsugihara Says Merry Christmas

Goddamn, take a look at that mustache. And look at that fat lard hanging out from under her shirt. That's sexy. And so are you. Dress skimpy this lovely holiday season. It shows all your worst features in the best kind of way.

How To Out-Do Your Cubicle Neighbor With Modern USB Sticks

Sure, it's not like it's 16GB or anything. A simple 1GB can make a damn fine eco-fashion statement. Read more.

28 Weeks Later Review

Shaky camera? Check. Guts and gore? Oh yeah. Storyline? Kind of check. Combine lots of running with higher production, usage of the same music from the last movie, and a Blair Witch homage, and there you have it; a full ninety-eight minutes of "rage." 7.8/10.

Crooks and Castle's Bandito Tee

While the t-shirt revolution continues to gain strong mainstream support (Threadless for example), the underground Crooks and Castles are rolling out battle station Winter sets worthy to notice. So what their prices are outrageously high? Just place that Apple mentality and you'll easily convince yourself to cop one yourself.

Call of Duty 4 (PS3) Review

Like Half Life 2, playing by yourself often is lame and gets you extremely nauseated when the developers steal away your first person powers to make you look at "important scenes." On the other hand, the multiplayer is something you'd end up playing for years down the road, not only because it's fun, but because the replay value only gets better once you get to know the maps. Call of Duty 4 introduces this new nifty XP points system, used for unlockable map options, global rankings, and achievements, which you'll be able to show off when Playstation Home kicks off later in 2008. So, I never completed the single player because half an hour into the game I got dizzy. However, jumping into the multiplayer is something I can see myself playing as much as Counter-Strike Source. Yes, it's pretty fun. If I could only get used to this damn PS3 controller, I'd be pro. 9.3/10.

Côte et Ciel Laptop Sleeves

These beautiful zipper-less laptop sleeves for Apple's Macbook Pro are sure frickin' cool. Made from high density neoprene and with the aid of small pull tabs, allows the laptop to slide in and out of a narrow opening at one end. It's a design that prevents computers from accidentally slipping out. Now tell me how much is €30 in US dollars?

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

Someone once told me, "If you're looking for something and it hints as though you'll find it, better to take a step backward to enjoy the whole picture." That kind of applies here, especially after seeing their badass trailer, one should take a deep breath to prepare oneself for a possible disappointment. On the other hand, that intake of air may just keep you high enough until their release date, which is February 19, 2008.

Snoop Takes Retro To The nth Degree

There is nothing better than starry eyed sunglasses on a Thursday night. Let's give it up for Snoop.

Baby In The Ball... Wait, Banana Pit!

C'mon, it's a baby. In a banana pit. Happy holidays.

Original Mac Fonts, Lucida Grande Included

Mac fonts have always been welcomed in the computing community, but for some damn reason almost all Windows machines lack nearly all of them. I thought I'd help remedy that problem. Lucida Grande is especially important, I think, not only for designers, but also because it is the font of choice for my blog. Trust me, it's a necessity of life! Click here to download.

Yan Yan's Get A Weird Makeover

During my freshman year of college, I used to stockpile these goodies in my closet and eat them late at night while talking on the phone with some cutie girl. I haven't had them in years, but the other day my coworker brought some work. In addition to being as good as I remembered them, now have all sorts of odd animal names and phrases printed on them!

Stay Green, Reuse Old-Ass Laptops

If you're lucky, grab an old IBM Thinkpad. They're relatively light if you get one after 2005, especially the T42's and up. Not to hate on HP, Compaq, Sony, or Gateways, but they're pretty much worthless machines if you try to salvage them. Anyway, if you've got a Thinkpad, follow these easy steps to make it running smooth for a few more years.

1. Upgrade it to 1GB minimum.
2. Grab a Windows XP CD, fire up reformat wizard.
   
3. Delete all partitions, then install.
   
4. On another computer, load wireless drivers or wired drivers (depending on your model) on a USB drive.
5. Also load this program: ThinkVantage System Update.
6. On clean system, install internet drivers.
7. Install ThinkVantage System Update.
8. Make sure: Check the internet for latest updates is checked. Install updates.
9. Don't install any IBM applications except for Access Connections and the Battery Maximiser program. Especially avoid R&R, I hear it is useless.
10. Enjoy your new internet browser rig.

Tila Tequila, Hamburglar In New Disguise

Am I the only one who thinks they look the same? Well, if not, now you have the idea implanted in your head.

This Holiday Season, Say "No" To More Junk

The best way to appreciate all the gifts after Christmas is to donate immediately the ones you have no intention on using/keeping. This way, you don't end up having a ridiculous accumulation problem like my dad has at home, and you give good stuff to people who might need it.

The Disintegration of Advancement

It's strange. Every five or ten years, one tends to automatically reflect upon his/her life and measures the significant advancements toward a greater social standard/demographic with respect to old friends and colleagues. Almost every time, we wish to think we've improved further than our peers; our choices being many times smarter, natural, and self-gratifying. Even those who are most modest at times, may have to agree there is some truth to this. We want to believe everything we've done is a resume builder, and everything we will accomplish is worth a position on the glory pedestal.

On the other hand, a degree is just a piece of academia. The places you've been do not change where you are at this point in time. The number of deaths you've seen do not develop you into a more experienced person. And intelligence can never be measured with tests that equate into numbers. Furthermore, you are not your past, your future plans, your current salary, nor the brand of your boxers.

To me, you are a friend, or maybe even a kindred brother. You are alive in a world that may float on 11-dimensions (m-theory), constantly tests your competence, and engages in wars that finance the wealthy. You're everything relative to your efforts (and vice versa). Hence, the next time you see me on the street, don't just smile. Don't just say hi. Give me a hug. Trust me, it's way cooler than any Facebook picture could represent.

Douglas Hammers Match Your IKEA Desk

Of course, if you're always going for the best, you just "gotta have it." Well, look no further - this is the hammer of choice of the modern day perfectionista.

3sixteen's Holiday Collection

By far the craziest collection I've seen this Winter. Peep it.

Playstation Hype Machine Out Of Control

Ah, I love Sony. First, they take out Dual Shock. Revise the system a million times, and then think, "Man, I bet people are going to go bonkers when we add Dual Shock back." Well, to no surprise, eBay and other stores are selling the Japanese released controllers for $60-$70 apiece. All for the rumble, right? Gawddaymmn, if I could only create a product that makes people drool and stumble all over the place.

Grand Theft Auto IV

I must admit, this game is lookin' to be bona fide bad-ass. The release should be coming soon, hopefully with the entire arsenal of upcoming Playstation 3 games, as early as Spring 2008. Oh, and if you missed it, don't sleep on the new GTA IV trailer.

Dr. Who Meets Kylie Minogue

The Fast Ood Rockers have produced a masterpiece. Mixing Kylie's "2 Hearts," a cover version of Goldfrapp's "Strict Machine", The Killers' "Smile Like You Mean It" and The Timelord's "Doctor in The Tardis" (The Dr. Who Theme Song), you get a disco feast any Justice lover must hear to believe.

Fast Ood Rockers - Song 4 Kylie With A Girl In A Time Machine (MP3)

Hlaska Wallets

I know it's hard to find a decent wallet. Everything out there's generic as hell, either it's a red nylon Power Rangers design or a black trifold. Come to think of it, my Obey Giant bamboo wallet has started tearing at multiple angles. Time to cop a Hlaska!

When Should You Buy A Warranty?

It's an important question, especially for those who just shelled out a grand for an LCD television set or a really expensive DSLR. Well, you should only buy it if you are not tech savy, clumsy, or are putting the item through heavy use (such as laptops, kitchen stoves, etc.). Refurbished, cutting-edge, and pricey items also fall into the "just buy the damn warranty" category. Check out the article on SmartMoney for more tips.

Playstation 3, A Tale of Fanboyism, Sex, Love

One year ago, the 60GB Playstation 3 felt its first price drop. The system came fully featured: card readers, full hardware backwards compatibility, a Bluray player, WiFi, Bluetooth, and 4 USB ports. However, the system was still considered too expensive at $499, out of reach of most little school children across the globe. More recently, with the release of the cheaper 40GB edition priced at $400, stripped of card readers, backwards compatibility, and reduced USB ports, has sparked more interest in the system, but console sales in general drag light years away from the Wii and Xbox 360.

The price has continually been one of the primary concerns regarding sales of the Playstation 3. That, in addition to the limited game releases, an impossible to crack code for game piracy (which usually drives up console sales), and continued criticism from all sides, Sony was pushed into a corner. Fanboy wars waged, with far more compassion and concern than oversea wars in the Middle East.

Just to be clear, Apple computers has announced "Bluray" as the media of choice for the coming future, featuring BD+ burners in upcoming Mac Pro professional desktops. People seem to keep forgetting the system comes with a damn Bluray and DVD player. Let's break up the numbers for now:

• Game console: $200
• Bluray player: $100
• Media extender: $100
  

Wait, that's $400 right? I was going to need all of those things anyway. The only possible issue that may interfere with my fully taking advantage of this new technology, however, would be the unsupported media formats (like AppleTV) such as MKV, AC3 and subtitles. Though, I hear DivX and XviD support are already on the way, this truly keeps it from being the best media extender it can be. Only once Sony addresses these demands will their console truly skyrocket into another dimension. Rumble support and better hardware power consumption would be welcome as well.

Eva Solo, It's All 'Bout The Hydroponics Dun

You know whatI'msayin? It's like not form over function, but function over form nah'mean? Yeah, forreal. Eva Solo keeps things hood. It's sustainability for life, mang, this is how we do shit in Denmark!

Peter Bjorn & John Know How To Indie

I love these guys. Even if they stepped on my foot and accidentally poured burning spaghetti sauce all over my new $35 button-up. They're just too cool and pouncy, like the paws of a puppy.

Peter Bjorn & John - Let's Call It Off (Girl Talk Remix) (MP3)
Peter Bjorn & John - Up Against The Wall (MP3)

Jigsaw Falling Into Place, Bike Helmets Are In

I love Radiohead and their creative, kooky videos. This new one is no exception. Enjoy their new single from In Rainbows, critically acclaimed by pop blogs worldwide.

Spotting The Hard-To-Find Library

Architects and designers rejoice! Super ideas for a super world! See more at Deputy Dog.

Sicko Review

As much as I despise Mickey's squeaky, "Why not ask yourself this?" tone throughout every single one of his movies, I found merit in this movie - far more than any of his previous works. Sure, it's slow. You hear stories of tons of people all over the country, extreme case studies of each, begging the question, "Why in the hell don't we have universal health care when it works so well in other countries?" Better yet, "Why do I get worried every time I get sick?" The movie doesn't present answers, nor does it intend to. It's an outrage machine, as stated by Atul Gawande, and thus succeeds in a genuinely holistic Michael Moore kind of way. 8.4/10.

Paintball At The Office

Yep, those designers at Bruton Stroube Studios are up to no good again. This time around, we got a wonderful shot made easier (or harder if you look at the time it took to make it) via Adobe Photoshop. Curious to how they made it? Check out their video.

Bright Blinds Gives You A Magical Window

Are you one of those hard-working cubicle workers against the far corner where no sunlight ever hits? Do you work underground in a dark room with no windows? Are you borderline postal? Well, take a look at this. The Bright Blind hangs on your wall and is constructed from electroluminescent sheets. The light dispersed gives the impression sunlight is creeping in, much like a real blind covered window would do. So, calm yourself sir, and put down that shotgun. You can have a window. An imaginary, fun-filled window of lights and love and joy.

Hitman Review

Let's just pretend I wasn't an arrogant film prick when it came to reviews, and I said, "Man, this dude's camera work is amateurish at best." Unfortunately, this turns out to be true. I came into this film looking for potential - even skipping the reviews to give me a blank slate. What I got was a video game movie which was directed too much like a video game. Replace well-done CGI facial animations with a little boy (who can't act) and his slutty girlfriend. The result? You got it, a ninety minute reenactment of the next Hitman video game. 6.7/10.

Eat Legos Like In Your Dreams

I always used to bite on Lego blocks when I was a kid. They were just so fun to grind against my new enamel. God forbidden if I ever swallowed one though. However, now you can! Check out Legos' expanded market for ice cube trays.

The PinQY Makes Extinguishers Mighty Fashionable

Yes, even if that means changing its shape into an anodized aluminum red grenade. C'mon, who the hell doesn't want a grenade as a fire extinguisher? It's frickin' cool.

Chuck Anderson NoPattern Prints

What's a better gift these retro-filled disco days than a silver or white framed print by Chuck Anderson. Filled with color and sparkles, nothing will warm my heart better than a gift from you to me.

The Moment of Truth

This has got to be the funniest shit I've seen all week. It teaches an important lesson, too. When life comes at you hard, you have be ready to make hard on the fly decisions.

Control Review

Control manages to create a stunning and moving portrait of the rise and fall of Joy Division, one of my favorite bands of all time. Each stage performance by Sam Riley as Ian Curtis is nothing short of amazing, placing you directly in the crowd and hypnotizes you with the manic guitar work and the main singer's voice. But with a story that has a widely known end point, the journey is highly emphasized here - along with some truly amazing camera work and narrative, leading up the incredibly moving and inevitable finale. 8.7/10.

Joy Division - Shadowplay (Live) (MP3)

Anthony Gallo TR-2 Subwoofer

Gallo’s TR-2 subwoofer turns cream into butter (which burns by the way.) That aside, the vented wooden circular cabinets allow the 10" long-throw woofer to breathe like an angel. Acoustical suspension allows the integrated 250-watt class A/B amp to do its job - generating a tight, remarkable bass that's worth every penny of its $700 price tag. Pair these up with some active studio monitors and you've got yourself one kick ass sound setup.

Transit Mailbox, Tokyo Subway Inspired

Transit is designed by Stephen Hugo-Seinader and inspired by the Toronto subway system. Conceived to be a simple, clean expression of its function. This works great if your room is stark white - like many Asian households are for "resale value."

Vyper Exo M[System] With Vyper XS2 by Booq

This sleek, semi-rigid ballistic nylon case utilizes two layers of molded high-density foam protection and non-scratch fabrics to cradle your laptop like nothing else. The Vyper Exo[System] includes a Vyper XS2 sleeve for additional laptop protection, plus the new, convenient Anaconda 5 accessory case. That's next-gen laptop bag design for ya.