News of the day tag:blogs.suntimes.com,2008-07-17:/webnews//52 2009-04-01T16:22:47Z with the Sun-Times Web staff Movable Type Commercial 4.23-en The best non-porn photos online? tag:blogs.suntimes.com,2009:/webnews//52.22703 2009-04-01T16:13:36Z 2009-04-01T16:22:47Z BY CRAIG NEWMAN If there's a better photo blog on the iInterwebs than boston.com's Big Picture collection, I've yet to see it. Not only do they find a great selection of excellent photography - always colorful, compelling and on point... Mark Bieganski BY CRAIG NEWMAN

If there's a better photo blog on the iInterwebs than boston.com's Big Picture collection, I've yet to see it. Not only do they find a great selection of excellent photography - always colorful, compelling and on point - they also run it in a completely non-Web way that pops it out. No thumbnails or reverse backgrounds or nonsense. Just awesome pictures, run large, on white.

But this gallery from Earth Hour is particularly spectacular. Seventeen great shots from around the world that are set up to allow yo to see them fade to black when you click on the photo. Stunning.

]]> The new face of Internet dating - marry your readers! tag:blogs.suntimes.com,2009:/webnews//52.22701 2009-04-01T15:50:33Z 2009-04-01T16:13:02Z BY CRAIG NEWMAN Blogger Ann Althouse recently got engaged. Congrats, sister, we're all happy for you! What's that you say, happens all the time? Umm, not quite like this. See, she's getting hitched to a long-time commenter on her blog.... Mark Bieganski BY CRAIG NEWMAN


Blogger Ann Althouse recently got engaged. Congrats, sister, we're all happy for you!


What's that you say, happens all the time? Umm, not quite like this. See, she's getting hitched to a long-time commenter on her blog. And from the sound of this video interview, one she's barely talked to outside her comment field, much less in the "real world."


Oh, and nobody gets to see the next hubby - much less know his name. So speculation that this is all fake is rampant. Either way, she gets more publicity - call it our wedding present.

]]> Music video parodies B-A-R-A-C-K in the U.S.A. tag:blogs.suntimes.com,2009:/webnews//52.22698 2009-04-01T14:31:04Z 2009-04-01T14:42:38Z OK, so the song selections are a little musty -- classic Def Leppard? the friggin' "Macarena"? -- but you can enjoy these parodies of music videos by themselves or enjoy the literal text: a goofy celebration of our new president.... Thomas Conner OK, so the song selections are a little musty -- classic Def Leppard? the friggin' "Macarena"? -- but you can enjoy these parodies of music videos by themselves or enjoy the literal text: a goofy celebration of our new president.

These songs come from a new CD by the Axe Men, "Barack's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1," available on iTunes and elsewhere online. These "comedians" cover a dozen classic tunes, altering the lyrics to trumpet Mr. Obama -- "Barack'N Me," "Barackin' On Sunshine," "Barack the Casbah," etc.


"B-A-R-A-C-K in the U.S.A."

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"Barackarena"



"Barack You Like a Hurricane"



"Barack of Ages"

]]> Cute bunnies get deadly in 'Apocalypse Meow' tag:blogs.suntimes.com,2009:/webnews//52.22621 2009-03-30T21:01:59Z 2009-03-30T21:05:46Z NSFW? BY CRAIG NEWMAN Sun-Times editor "> " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="375" height="313"> I know just enough about Japanese culture to know I don't know much about Japanese culture. And every now and then something like trailer for the... Thomas Conner
NSFW?

BY CRAIG NEWMAN Sun-Times editor

I know just enough about Japanese culture to know I don't know much about Japanese culture. And every now and then something like trailer for the new animated film "Apocalypse Meow" -- that's the U.S. release name, the Japanese release is available on the trailer in a slightly less-friendly-for-work way -- comes along to reinforce that fact.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing this thing. A crack commando unit of cute and fuzzy bunnies seeking out an apparent group of what seems to be terrorist camels -- nice racial overtones -- with sniper rifles, explosives and extreme violence? OK, you got me. I mean, will it be in IMAX?

No, the only thing that bugs me is the cat angle. Where exactly are cats involved? The Chuck Norissesque bunny hit squad is cool. The dialogue -- all Japanese, no subtitles -- is awesome. But where do cats come into the picture? It is just a trailer, I suppose. And you know how they cut those things so you never really know what the movie is about. But come on!<

Anyway, this is promised winter of 2010 -- in Japan, anyway. Get locked and loaded, people! And bunnies!

]]> No, you can't get a tan from your computer screen tag:blogs.suntimes.com,2009:/webnews//52.22620 2009-03-30T20:58:44Z 2009-03-30T21:07:18Z BY MISHA DAVENPORT Staff Reporter One million people can't be wrong, right? Unless, of course, they were visitors to a Web site promising to transmit ultraviolet rays through their computer screens, enabling you to tan from work or at... Thomas Conner

BY MISHA DAVENPORT Staff Reporter

One million people can't be wrong, right?

Unless, of course, they were visitors to a Web site promising to transmit ultraviolet rays through their computer screens, enabling you to tan from work or at home. When users click on the offer for five free minutes of tanning, they receive a message that UV exposure can kill.

The site is apparently so popular, the original site has either crashed or been taken down.

A British skin cancer charity set up the site two months ago to draw attention to the risks posed by tanning beds and other devices.

]]> 'I've got a bad feeling about this' tag:blogs.suntimes.com,2009:/webnews//52.22535 2009-03-27T19:45:45Z 2009-03-27T19:53:11Z Grant Wood's iconic "American Gothic" won't be back on view at the Art Institute until mid-April and Rene Magritte's surrealist masterpiece "Time Transfixed" will remain unseen until the museum's new Modern Wing opens in May 2009. You'll just have... Thomas Conner SA-Beatnik-Filmstar.jpg

Grant Wood's iconic "American Gothic" won't be back on view at the Art Institute until mid-April and Rene Magritte's surrealist masterpiece "Time Transfixed" will remain unseen until the museum's new Modern Wing opens in May 2009.

You'll just have to settle with a modern, pop culture twist on those two works for now. The Web site Something Awful has updated those masterpieces and several others not owned by the Art Institute -- with images
from the "Star Wars" films.

As envisioned by Something Awful, "American Gothic" now features Grand Moff Tarkin (Peter Cushing) as the pitchfork-wielding farmer. Magritte's image of a locomotive emerging from a fireplace instead features a Star Destroyer.

Our favorite has to be the one-eared Yoda subbing for Vincent Van Gogh in his self portrait with a pipe (held in a private collection). Just what happened to the little green fellow's ear? Perhaps that's a story for another "Star Wars" prequel.

SA-Lincoln2.jpg

-- Misha Davenport

]]> Is 8 cents enough? Willie Aames has a garage sale tag:blogs.suntimes.com,2009:/webnews//52.22531 2009-03-27T18:30:16Z 2009-03-27T18:47:06Z Were there Adam Rich dolls? Grant Goodeve autographs? Former "Eight is Enough" and "Charles in Charge" star Willie Aames is apparently another victim of the recession. The cash-strapped star tried to sel off his belongings in suburban Kansas City. Dozens... Thomas Conner Were there Adam Rich dolls? Grant Goodeve autographs?

032709aames.jpgFormer "Eight is Enough" and "Charles in Charge" star Willie Aames is apparently another victim of the recession. The cash-strapped star tried to sel off his belongings in suburban Kansas City.

Dozens showed up Thursday at a garage sale at his Olathe home, where Aames made deals with bargain-hunters and signed autographs.

Of course, if there's a celebrity plight, can the camera crew be far behind? Sure enough, a production crew filmed the sale for a TV show.

Aames filed for bankruptcy last year and his home is in foreclosure.

Items on sale included antiques, artwork, a piano, deer head mounts and TV and movie memorabilia.


Contributing: AP

]]> What happened to Daryl Hannah's face? tag:blogs.suntimes.com,2009:/webnews//52.22527 2009-03-27T16:45:29Z 2009-03-27T16:49:27Z Valerie Bertinelli at 48 is on the cover of People magazine in a green bikini. Meanwhile, native Chicagoan Daryl Hannah at 48 is inside In Touch Weekly as an example of a plastic surgery don't. "Daryl's makeover anguish," reads... Thomas Conner 032709hannah.jpg

Valerie Bertinelli at 48 is on the cover of People magazine in a green bikini. Meanwhile, native Chicagoan Daryl Hannah at 48 is inside In Touch Weekly as an example of a plastic surgery don't.

"Daryl's makeover anguish," reads the headline, arrows pointing to Hannah's puffed-up face. It does appear that she had the same plastic surgeon as Priscilla Presley and Jocelyn Wildenstein (also known as "the Bride of Wildenstein" and "Catwoman") ... and a plastic surgeon in the magazine theorizes that she's had a face-lift, brow-lift and Botox.

]]> Musician Pharrell sings for a McDonald's meal tag:blogs.suntimes.com,2009:/webnews//52.22480 2009-03-26T17:53:02Z 2009-03-26T19:16:30Z Sometimes you just gotta have a Big Mac. I'm sure we've all been there before: pleading with the McDonald's employee behind the counter for an Egg McMuffin past breakfast hours, asking your taxi driver to swing through the drive-thru,... admin http://www.suntimes.com/

Sometimes you just gotta have a Big Mac.

I'm sure we've all been there before: pleading with the McDonald's employee behind the counter for an Egg McMuffin past breakfast hours, asking your taxi driver to swing through the drive-thru, or even attempting to walk through the drive-thru past restaurant hours.

Am I right? Don't leave me hanging here...

Well, at least musician Pharrell Williams can relate. Earlier this week the member of hip-hop trio N.E.R.D was caught on tape getting creative for a McDonald's meal.

]]> During a stopover in Paris, Pharrell decided he had to have McDonald's -- at 6 AM. Not yet open, the stone-faced employees refused to serve him. Not one to give in so easily, Pharrell launched into an impromptu rendition of, "Big mac, filet o' fish, quarter pounder, french fries, icy cold milkshake, sundaes and apple pie" set to some smooth dance moves.

Not impressed, the employees still turned him down.

If it came to it-- what would you do for a Big Mac?

]]> The soul music behind Barack Obama tag:blogs.suntimes.com,2009:/webnews//52.19123 2009-01-09T22:25:07Z 2009-01-09T22:36:18Z The soul music history of Chicago is part of the inspiration and influence behind President-elect Obama's rhetoric and values. Here are samples of some of that rich musical history, in song and video: The Staples Singers perform "Touch a Hand,... Thomas Conner The soul music history of Chicago is part of the inspiration and influence behind President-elect Obama's rhetoric and values. Here are samples of some of that rich musical history, in song and video:


The Staples Singers perform "Touch a Hand, Make a Friend" at the 1981 Montreux Jazz Festival, via YouTube.

Listen to more after the jump ...

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A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke



Long Walk To D.C. - The Staple Singers


Ill Take You There - The Staple Singers



People Get Ready - The Impressions



Choice Of Colors - GLADYS KNIGHT



Touch A Hand (Make A Friend) - The Staple Singers

]]> Top viral videos of 2008 tag:blogs.suntimes.com,2008:/webnews//52.18697 2008-12-21T18:13:01Z 2008-12-21T19:54:09Z 2008 was the year of the Rickroll, the internet sensation where those surfing the web are tricked into viewing Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" music video. Rickrolling quickly gained popularity as the online savvy tried to outdo one... admin http://www.suntimes.com/ 2008 was the year of the Rickroll, the internet sensation where those surfing the web are tricked into viewing Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" music video. Rickrolling quickly gained popularity as the online savvy tried to outdo one another, culminating in the Rickrolling of Times Square in New York as Astley's video played on one of the large television screens.

But Astley wasn't the only internet star to emerge from the interwebs in 2008 -- click the jump to view a few of our other favorite viral videos from this year.

]]> Cubby dances to Beyonce's "Single Ladies" Video:

Boy sings "Cuppy Cake" song:


Divorce lady airs dirty laundry:


Latarian Milton Steals His Grandmothers Car:


Paris Hilton responds to McCain ad:


Sarah Silverman: "I'm ******* Matt Damon":

Puppy cam:
Live TV : Ustream

Frozen Grand Central Station:

SNL: Tina Fey as Sarah Palin:


The real Sarah Palin with Katie Couric:

Obama-McCain dance-off

Christian the lion:

Bill O'Reilly flips out:

Rick Astley's music video for "Never gonna give you up":

Sarah Palin turkey pardon video:

Where the hell is Matt?


Think we missed a few 'must-view' videos? Share them below!

]]> Original 'Day the Earth Stood Still" trailer tag:blogs.suntimes.com,2008:/webnews//52.18300 2008-12-08T21:26:00Z 2008-12-08T21:26:59Z Long before Keanu Reeves had his excellent adventure with the story, there was the original "The Day the Earth Stood Still" ...... Thomas Conner Long before Keanu Reeves had his excellent adventure with the story, there was the original "The Day the Earth Stood Still" ...

]]> Trailers for sampling the Chicago Film Fest tag:blogs.suntimes.com,2008:/webnews//52.16333 2008-10-17T18:29:49Z 2008-10-17T18:43:14Z Trying to decide what to see at this weekend's Chicago International Film Festival? Click here for a listing of the good stuff, then sift through these trailers ...... Thomas Conner Trying to decide what to see at this weekend's Chicago International Film Festival? Click here for a listing of the good stuff, then sift through these trailers ...


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"Happy-Go-Lucky"



"Katyn"



"Sparrow"



"Go With Peace Jamil"



"Jerusalema"



"Let the Right One In"



"Sleep Dealer"



"The Chaser"


]]> 'Wicked': Was it a good show, or a bad show? tag:blogs.suntimes.com,2008:/webnews//52.9678 2008-05-21T15:20:45Z 2008-05-21T15:41:22Z Erin Mackey as Glinda the Good Witch in Chicago's resident production of "Wicked." (File) "Wicked" has been a fixture in Chicago theater for three years. Residents and tourists alike have flocked to the theater — often repeatedly — to... Thomas Conner 052108wicked.jpg
Erin Mackey as Glinda the Good Witch in Chicago's resident production of "Wicked." (File)


"Wicked" has been a fixture in Chicago theater for three years. Residents and tourists alike have flocked to the theater — often repeatedly — to see this show, telling the backstory of the witches of Oz. When it closes here in January, it'll truly be a bubble bursting.

How many times did you go? What did the show mean to you? Comment below ...

And, what do you think should replace it for a long run? "Dirty Dancing"? "Mary Poppins"?

]]> The first look at 'Grand Theft Auto IV' gameplay tag:blogs.suntimes.com,2008:/webnews//52.8997 2008-04-28T21:27:42Z 2008-04-28T21:29:42Z The G4 network on Monday was the first to preview the gameplay in the new "Grand Theft Auto IV," out Tuesday. Here' a look at their live, cable-network demo of the game:... Thomas Conner The G4 network on Monday was the first to preview the gameplay in the new "Grand Theft Auto IV," out Tuesday. Here' a look at their live, cable-network demo of the game:

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