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Oscar Nominees: The Animated Short Films

BuzzSugar — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:42:40 PST

Every year when the Oscar nominations are announced, I make a little "note-to-self" to track down the nominated short films before the ceremony. Although they certainly don’t get the same kind of attention (and distribution) as feature length nominees, they often represent some of the most innovative, painstaking, and visually stunning filmmaking out there. This year is no different, especially in the animated short category. From an incredible visualization of a vintage interview with John Lennon to a lovely take on a classic fable, this year’s nominees prove just how entertaining this category can be.

The shorts will be hitting US theaters in February, and I hope they'll eventually end up on iTunes like last year's did. But in the meantime, I’ve put together some descriptions and clips (and some full length films - that might not last long, so watch fast!) of each of the animated shorts nominated this year. To get started, just

read more. I Met The Walrus When Jerry Levitan was 14 years old growing up in Toronto, he found the hotel that Beatles superstar John Lennon was staying in. Armed with a portable tape recorder, he managed to score himself an interview. Thirty-nine years later, filmmaker Josh Raskin has turned a portion of that interview into a cool, retro-looking film using line-drawn animation (MTV has used a similar technique in the past between shows). The trailer is below.

Even Pigeons Go To Heaven A sweet little film about a priest's chase to save a troubled soul. This one is the full package - beautiful animation, great story. Check out the film in its entirety below.

Madame Tutli-Putli A lady goes on a crazy metaphysical ride on a creepy night train. The story isn't the Oscar-worthy aspect of this little gem, though - that would be the fact that a 16-second shot took a week to make. You can find a small clip here and the trailer below.

My Love This tale about first love was created by Alexandre Petrov, a Russian director who is considered one of the best animators in the world. The film features the same technique of painting on glass as his Oscar-winning short Old Man and the Sea. Part one is below, and follow this link for part two and three.

Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf This is a gorgeous, very dark, stop-motion version of the popular story without narration and set in contemporary Russia. Only a half hour long, this little masterpiece took 100 animators, sculptors and artists five years to bring it to life. There is a preview below, and the full movie is here. Source

Totally Indulgent Track: Justin Timberlake, "My Love (Diplo Remix)"

BuzzSugar — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 16:16:30 PST

It took me months even to admit that I liked Justin Timberlake, and now I've been listening to FutureSex/LoveSounds to the point of ridiculous. For that reason, I was glad to stumble across this nice little variation on the theme today on The Cyclotron: the Diplo remix of "My Love." Seriously, "My Love" ruled the first time around, but this interpretation is excellent on its own merits. What do you guys think?

Source

Show True Love: Make Chocolate-Covered Chicharrones

Susannah Chen — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:42:37 PST

Of all the crazy chocolates I've seen - among them, wasabi pea chocolate and soy-sauce-flavored Kit Kat - the most intriguing I tried was Xocolatl de David's Chicharrón Chocolate Bar. I loved the concept of crunchy mixed into smooth, savory blended with sweet, and yet I found myself wishing for more pork rind.

That's when I dreamt up my perfect chocolate snack: Chicharrónes, or deep-fried pig skins, halfway hand-dipped into semisweet chocolate. The result is simple perfection. Smoky, porky, cheese puff-like awesomeness commingled with just the right amount of smooth chocolate. Any omnivorous man (or woman) would be crazy not to love this. Get the recipe now.

Fat-Proof Your Life

Health — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:06:06 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Maridel Reyes

It's true that there are certain times in your life when extra poundage seems to appear out of nowhere . . . and settle on you. In fact, experts have honed in on the exact moments when you're most vulnerable to weight gain.

"Life transitions, having a baby, and going through menopause cause many women to pile on pounds," says Susan Albers, PsyD, author of But I Deserve This Chocolate!: The 50 Most Common Diet-Derailing Excuses and How to Outwit Them. "But with planning and prep, you can stay thin."

We asked top experts for their strategies to help you ward off weight creep - and even shed pounds - at these tricky stages. Solutions ahead.

Getting married

Heavier ever after? It can be the flip side of wedded bliss: "Six out of 10 of my clients come back heavier after the honeymoon," says celebrity fitness and wellness guru David Kirsch.

Health.com: 25 Diet-Busting Foods You Should Never Eat

Young newlyweds pack on an extra six to nine pounds in the five years after getting hitched compared to singletons, according to research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. And most of that gain happens in the first year of marriage.

"Couples start to mirror each other's eating habits," explains Albers. "You might be matching him calorie for calorie without realizing it."

Learn how to keep the pounds down postmarriage and in the mommy years, after the break.

Safe House: A Standout Thriller

Lizzie Fuhr — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:05:00 PST

While working for the CIA may seem like a dream job, Matt Weston's (Ryan Reynolds) current position at a Safe House is certainly no picnic. He's a new agent, stationed alone in South Africa, waiting for the chance that he will have a "house guest" (someone who is taken prisoner by the CIA.) Matt's desperately trying to get some field experience so he can be stationed in some other city where he can see a little action. After a year of boredom, his wish comes true when Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) arrives.

I was constantly on the edge of my seat throughout the film, and felt everyone in the theater being equally enraptured with what was unraveling before our eyes. Safe House has high-stakes moments cut with sardonic, nonchalant comedy that Reynolds and Washington both pull off nicely. I felt connected to everyone's struggles, but the plot kept me unsure if I wanted the good guy or the bad guy to come out on top. To find out why Safe House exceeded my expectations, just keep reading.

Don't Be Afraid to Play With Scale

Elka Karl — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:00:41 PST

In a recent interview on Dering Hall, Los Angeles-based designer Peter Dunham shared his thoughts on his line Hollywood at Home and offered excellent decorating tips.

One of my favorite tips from Dunham concerns scale - and the fact that we should consider it more carefully when decorating. Scale is just as important as pattern and color when decorating a space.

Dunham says,

In a high-ceilinged room, use an oversized chandelier. De-electrify it and just use it with candles so it becomes a piece of sculpture rather than a glaring light fixture, and it anchors the space. In a small room, choose a bold, big-pattern print and cover everything in it, the French way: walls, curtains, upholstery, et cetera. It gives the room vibrancy and glamor. Also, use large, but fewer, pieces in a small room-like a sofa that may seem too big-so it feels luxurious. In a large room, use smaller-scale pieces to create several areas and bring the space more to human scale.

I love the way that Dunham plays with scale in the room above, using a bold patterned print for the walls and matching sofa. It's an important lesson to remember when redecorating a room - keep scale a playful, and important, consideration.

Source

No Headphones? 5 Ways to Entertain Yourself on the Treadmill

Leta Shy — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:44:44 PST

I love running on the treadmill, but let's be honest: it's not the most entertaining workout. I usually distract myself from counting down the minutes with a good playlist, audiobook, or tuning in to the gym's TVs. When I forget to take my running headphones, however, I have to entertain myself in an entirely different way. Here are some ways to keep yourself entertained (not to mention motivated!) when you can't do your normal headphones-on, tune-everything-out routine.

Change up your intervals: You should be doing this anyway once you've mastered your current workout, but if you're used to going through the motions, now's the time to change your intervals or the speed of your high-intensity runs.
Take a fit test: See how fast you can run in a set period - say, five minutes - without stopping (make sure you don't overdo it, though - stay at a level where you don't feel short of breath, lightheaded, or dizzy). Doing a fit test regularly is a good way to gauge your progress if you've been running regularly and if it's time to pick up the pace. Plus you may be surprised by just how fast you can really go!

Read on for more.

Beyond Red: Decorating With Ruby Hues

Elka Karl — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:25:49 PST

When it comes to deep saturated color, ruby rules the red tones. This saturated color originally was used to represent the color that best expressed the ruby gemstone. Its gorgeous red color strikes me as passionate, regal, and perfect for adding to your home decor.

Ruby is actually an easier shade to decorate with than straight red, thanks to the brown and purple tones present in varying shades of the color. Essentially, this means you have a red shade that plays well with a variety of other colors. Try mixing a ruby-red chandelier with a duck's-egg shade of painted walls, or add a ruby-red sofa to an eclectic mix of multihued wood furniture and patterned upholstered chairs.

For a modern ruby chandelier that won't strain your pocketbook, try the Boom Lucite Chandelier ($105). Inspired by papercut art, the chandelier features two planes of voluptuous laser cut into lucite curls. For an even greater impact, try hanging a cluster of three.

The color mix in Flavor Paper's Shore Leave Wallpaper ($150) has a fun edge, which matches the imagery. Designed by Emily Minnie, the pattern features old-school tattoo images including stars, pinup girls, and anchors. I'd love to see this papering a powder room in a roller derby girl's home.

Perhaps my absolute favorite find is the Hans Wegner Oculus Chair ($5,500). Available in a variety of colors, this gorgeous chair features a wool upholstery and a stainless steel base. Originally designed in 1960, Carl Hansen & Son began reproducing the Oculus chair three years ago based on the prototype still owned by Wegner's family.

Did something else catch your eye? Click the image to shop your ruby-red favorite.

Link Time - The Price of Valentine's Day

TresSugar — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:15:46 PST

Americans spend how much on Valentine's Day?! - Huffington Post
Celeb-inspired beauty looks to steal for Valentine's Day - YourTango
A foolproof Valentine's Day gift guide - The Frisky
Ladies who love leather - theBERRY
Seven first dates women want a guy to take them on - CollegeCandy
Five ways to express your intimacy - Em&Lo
The Vampire Diaries stars strip down - BuzzSugar
"My girlfriend patronizes me endlessly" - Nerve
12 aphrodisiacs to eat with your dude - Glamour

Doutzen, Adriana, and Lindsay Give Us a Lesson in Valentine's Dressing 101

Hannah Weil — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:24:35 PST

When it comes to Valentine's dressing, there are of course the cliches: minidresses and heels, red and pink, and some slinky lingerie. While we're all reaching for some unexpected twist on the look, a quick chat - even just a glimpse of the girls in body-con Hervé Léger - may just be the argument to embrace the super-sexy albeit more predictable wear. We caught up with the gorgeous Victoria's Secret ambassadors Doutzen Kroes, Lindsay Ellingson, and Adriana Lima to find out exactly how some of the sexiest women on the planet prep for Valentine's Day, and now, we're newly resolved to keep it just as uncomplicated. Read on for their tips to getting the look just right, then shop our picks to channel the bombshells' V-Day 101.

Don't be afraid to wear red: "Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday so I love to get dressed up with a red dress, heels - the whole thing. I'm a little cheesy that way, but I love it." - Lindsay Ellingson
Slip something sexy underneath: "Whatever I wear, I would wear something super sexy underneath, like a lace corset or a garter slip because just knowing you have it on makes you feel confident and sexy." - Doutzen Kroes
There's nothing wrong with playing up your assets: "I haven't figured it all out yet, but it has to be something tight and sexy, like this [Hervé Léger bandage dress]." - Adriana Lima

Take a minute to digest the girls' get-sexy rules, then shop our picks to channel the same knockout style for your Valentine's date night.

Taryn Dress in Many Colors - by Ani Lee - $299.00	Riller & Fount Skipper One Shoulder Mini Dress - $158.00
ASOS Mini Strapless Dress with Sweetheart Neckline - $53.72	ASOS Midi Body-Conscious Dress With Short Sleeve - $44.76
Austin Draped Mini Dress - $368.00	ASOS Mini Dress with Frill Detail - $62.67
ASOS Mini Dress with Mesh Panels - $80.57	See By Chloe Short Sleeve Sweater Dress - $390.00
ASOS Mini Dress in Color Block - $71.62	ASOS Mini Dress with Cut Out PU Trim - $80.57
Casadei Mud Python Embossed Platform High Heels - $750.00	B Brian Atwood Consort High Heel Sandals - $325.00
GIANCARLO PAOLI High-heeled sandals - $145.00	Brian Atwood Maniac Platform Pump, Nude - $595.00
Suede and Leather Criss-Cross Colorblock Sandals - $995.00	Red Bow Bustier - $78.00
Olingerie Paula Lace - $39.39	eberjey Giovanna Bralet - $57.00
Garter Slip - $58.00	The Victoria's Secret Designer Collection Demi Push-Up Bra - $138.00
The Victoria's Secret Designer Collection Sparkle Thong - $48.00	The Victoria's Secret Designer Collection Ruffle Garterbelt - $58.00
Alice + Olivia Rosie Blouson Dress - $367.00	Rebecca Minkoff Claudia Dress - $328.00