Latest Next Gen Xbox Rumor - DRM

Edge Mobile has an interesting rumor about the next generation Xbox.  Edge says that the new Xbox will require an always on internet connection to run and that the activation codes assigned to the buyer of the game will not be transferrable to another.  This pretty much closes out the second hand game market.
I would really have a hard time supporting such restrictions.  As an avid gamer I love to buy second hand games on Ebay.  not everyone can afford to spend $50 on a game-- and I'm being generous-- I can imagine a scenario where games for the next gen Xbox run closer to $70.  I hope this rumor is not true as it would no doubt cause a lot of blowback from the gaming community.  I'm not sure that anyone in this country has an internet connection that is always serviceable 24 hours a day.  Internet service is not immune from disturbances from either the line or from the Xbox servers.

http://www.edge-online.com/news/the-next-xbox-always-online-no-second-hand-games-50gb-blu-ray-discs-and-new-kinect/

Flaming Lips New Song!

Who knew the Flaming Lips dropped a new song this week?  Now we all know!  I'm really feeling it-- the beginning gives me a Beach Boys vibe and then it goes into a video game attack.  Great stuff.

SXSW 2013 Announces Lineup

SXSW has just announced their 2013 Features lineup.  Some pretty interesting films on the list.  I'm interested to see Upstream Color by Director/Screenwriter: Shane Carruth and Richard Linklater’s “Before Midnight,” both of which premiered at Sundance this year.  Other films on my list include: Drinking Buddies, Much Ado About Nothing, Scenic Route, and Prince Avalanche.
http://sxsw.com/film/screenings/film-lineup

Punk Rock Song of the Day

I think it was Fall Out Boy who said "the songs you grow to like never stick at first."

The Vandals doing a great cover—another punk classic.

Philips Says Farewell to Consumer Electronics

http://blogs.wsj.com/source/2013/01/29/philips-exits-consumer-electronics/

Sad to see such an iconic brand as Philips announce that they are leaving the CE business.  They have been a very large presence in audio, video and especially accessories for such a long time.  CE is such a competitive business that it really favors companies such as Apple and Samsung who have streamlined the manufacturing and selling aspects to extremely profitable lengths.

Great NYT Story on Lindsay Lohan

Kind of surprised to see the NYT write a long article about Lindsay Lohan but it's an excellent look at the troubled actress and the difficulty in making a true independent film.  Check it out.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/13/magazine/here-is-what-happens-when-you-cast-lindsay-lohan-in-your-movie.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp

Most Anticipated Movies of 2013

Most Anticipated Movies of 2013

Here is a list of the movies I’m looking forward to seeing in 2013

Only God Forgives

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn

Director Nicolas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling team up again for this film about a Bangkok police lieutenant and a gangster who settle their differences in a Thai-boxing match.

Star Trek Into Darkness

Director: J.J. Abrams

As an avid star Trek fan I’ve been looking forward for this one for what seems like years and years.  Can’t wait to find out who the villain character is within the Star Trek universe.  Brief summary from IMDB: After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. 

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire 

Director: Francis Lawrence

I loved the first movie so I’m definitely looking forward to see if new director Francis Lawrence can keep the same vibe.

The Fast and the Furious 6

Director: Justin Lin

Fast 5 was a great action movie that never let up and with the same crew infront and behind the camera I have high hopes for this one.

Oblivion

Director: Joseph Kosinski

The trailer to this looks great so I’m hoping this one brings it.  IMDB summary: One of the few remaining drone repairmen assigned to Earth, its surface devastated after decades of war with the alien Scavs, discovers a crashed spacecraft with contents that bring into question everything he believed about the war, and may even put the fate of mankind in his hands.

Elysium

Director: Neill Blomkamp

This one has so much hype behind it that I’m caught up.  I admit it.  The effects are rumored to be game changing so I have high hopes.  IMDB summary: In the year 2159 two classes of people exist: the very wealthy who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. Secretary Rhodes, a government official, will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws and preserve the luxurious lifestyle of the citizens of Elysium.

Man of Steel

Director: Zack Snyder

As far as I’m concerned this is a big one.  I think Zach Snyder gets back into his game with this one.  I expect it to be thought of as on par with the Nolan Batman series.  I thought the first teaser preview was epic.  Can’t wait.

Frances Ha

Director: Noah Baumbach

I’m a huge fan of Baumbach and look forward to this one.

Sightseers

Director: Ben Wheatley

I was blown away by Wheatley’s Kill List.  Not a perfect movie but it created a mood that was undeniable.  I’ll see anything this guy does.

Great Gatsby

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Should be a visual spectacle. Maybe that's all it will be but I'll take it.

The Grandmaster

Director: Wong Kar Wai

This one has been in production forever but it’s Wong Kar Wai so you know it will be worth the wait.  IMDB summary: The story of martial-arts master Ip Man

Upstream color

Director: Shane Carruth

Carruth’s previous movie 2004’s Primer is one of my favorites.  So I’m looking forward to this one.  It’s been way too long.

Nebraska

Director: Alexander Payne

Sideways and The Descendants were two superb movies so I’m hoping this one will be as good.  IMDB summary: An aging, booze-addled father makes the trip from Montana to Nebraska with his estranged son in order to claim a million dollar Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes prize.

Sound City

Director: David Grohl

The premise sounds interesting.  IMDB summary: A documentary on the fabled recording studio that was located in Van Nuys, California.

The Counselor

Director: Ridley Scott

Writer: Cormac McCarthy (screenplay)

Cormac McCarthy’s first original screenplay directed by Ridley Scott—this should be insanely good.  IMDB summary: A lawyer finds himself in over his head when he gets involved in drug trafficking.