Sunday Link-Off: Christmas Shopping Scramble

alyssa-barbara-14-01I know that malls and such are open for the next three days but this is the last real chance that most people will get to go shopping for Christmas presents. I lucked out because I only had four or so shops to run to yesterday so my day wasn’t too bad. Funnily enough, there were more people at the liquor store yesterday than at the mall. I can understand. I need booze to deal with my relatives too.

So a couple of hours late, it’s time for the Sunday links. To kick things off, here’s Canadian model Alyssa Barbara. You know, I’m thinking of bringing back the old Hottest Canadian bracket in 2015. I think she’d fit right into the top 32.

We’re nearly two years from the start of another Presidential campaign and already we’re having fact checking issues at big publications. The NYT, for example, already attempted a derail of the Clinton campaign with a poorly fact-checked story. (Media Matters)

Jeb Bush is thinking about making a run for the White House. After Bush 43, would America even consider a Bush 45? (Vice)

Great news! Science says that moderate alcohol consumption helps boost your immune system. (Mother Jones)

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Entertainment Link-Off: Fire Within

lizzy-caplan-elle-canada-3So it looks like everyone will be swarming to the theatres to catch the final installment of The Hobbit in theatres. While most are looking for it to neatly tie up the prequel trilogy, apparently the film has left a lot to be desired. On the other end of the spectrum, people won’t be flocking to see The Interview since it won’t be hitting the theatres anytime soon thanks to hacker threats. In the meantime, I guess you can catch a glimpse of Lizzy Caplan to feel a bit better over not seeing her in the movie.

After the jump, first look at Jessica Chastain in Crimson Peak, Mark Wahlberg is in for more Transformers, news on The Interview getting the rug pulled from right under it, Barack Obama shares his favourite film of 2014, children’s movies can be quite traumatizing and Santa is real! Continue reading

Game of Thrones – Episode One Review: Valar Morghulis

game-of-thrones-episode-one-headerIf ever there was a marriage of licensed property and game developer that made sense, it’s Telltale Games and Game of Thrones. With The Walking Dead series, Telltale showed that it could do series with dark themes, tough decisions and no-win scenarios. After some previous lacklustre GoT games, George R. R. Martin gave the okay for Telltale to have a go and assigned his personal assistant as a story consultant so you know this isn’t going to be a quick cash-in on the license.

Game of Thrones is the fourth series we’ve seen from Telltale this year and concerns about the possibility of the team being spread thin are unfounded. Episode One of GoT could be the best debut episode that Telltale has ever done and fits in perfectly with the rest of the world of Westeros.

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Man Lab Showdown: Alison Pill vs. Emily Mortimer

Some people love it. Some people hate it. Say about it what you will but Aaron Sorkin’s The Newsroom certainly got strong reaction from anyone who watched it. The worst thing in entertainment is for people to not react at all to something. Even if the critics (who were the last group the show was targeted to) hated it, they fell for it hook, line and sinker.

Anyway, with the show over, I thought we’d cash in one last time on The Newsroom with a second Man Lab Showdown for December. In one corner is the show’s female lead, Emily Mortimer. In the other is the actress of show’s most improved female character over the course of three seasons, Alison Pill.

More pictures and the poll after the jump.

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The Hobbit’s Five Armies (Infographic)

hobbit-battle-of-five-armies-infographic-headerA six-movie saga that has spanned thirteen years in cinemas and 77 years since The Hobbit was first published is coming to an end this weekend. Yesterday was the North American release date for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, the last movie in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit dual trilogy.

To celebrate the premiere of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, we have not only a handy infographic with a look at the titular five armies but also an interactive flash graphic with the armies and a map.

By the way, SPOILERS! So many spoilers! Well, I suppose it’s a spoiler if you haven’t read the book.

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Wednesday Link-Off: The Stories Behind The Story

gillian-jacobs-flare14-02The way this week has gone, I think that we could use a little break. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten to Tuesday and felt like I desperately need the weekend to come already. From a look at the news this week, I’d imagine a number of other people feel the same way.

Anyway, it’s time for the links. I don’t know when Community is back but that doesn’t mean that we can’t feature Gillian Jacobs.

While Sydney was gripped with a hostage crisis, the people of Sydney stood strong with the Muslims of the city. (The New Yorker)

Not everyone was civil about what was happening in Sydney. Uber gouged people looking for a ride in Sydney. (Gawker)

The key witness presented to the Grand Jury in support of Darren Wilson in the Michael Brown shooting may have lied about everything. (Gawker)

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Fails of the Week

Every so often, we take a look at the most epic fails from the week that was in the Fails of the Week. This week, we have five pictures and videos that we think are the most epic fails of the week.

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Formula E Punta del Este ePrix: Survive, If You Can

formula-e-2014-punta-del-este-buemi-victorySay what you will about all-electric racing technology that’s been rushed to the race track, spec cars, one-day race weekends and cramped little street circuits, Formula E knows how to put on a show. Once again, Formula E showed that you don’t need 700 horsepower to put on a show. All you need is low downforce and drivers willing to fight for position.

In a race that saw the safety car make its way onto the circuit four times for various incidents, it was Sebastian Buemi who survived the crashes and mechanical troubles that plagued the field to win his first Formula E race.

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Sunday Link-Off: Looking Forward and Back

emily-ratajkowski-yamamay14-03For the second week in a row, I’m actually not scrambling together the links at the last-minute. No complaints here because that gives me a little time to do some gaming. I’m thinking about spending some time with The Wolf Among Us, Titanfall and Infinite Crisis. Who wants reviews of all three? No, you don’t get a choice. I’ve got a few other tricks up my sleeve that you might be interested in too but I won’t spoil those.

Anyway, you’re not here to hear about what games I’m planning to play to keep me sane before my IRL job’s Christmas party yesterday. You’re here for the links. Let’s kick this one off with Emily Ratajkowski.

There’s an election coming up in Canada next year. What economic indicators should you be looking as we head to the polls? (MacLean’s)

Speaking of that election, our electoral system and the regional vs. national popularities of the three parties is going to make it easier for the Conservatives to re-form a government. It could hypothetically happen even if the Liberals win the popular vote. (ThreeHundredEight)

Model Beverly Johnson adds her name to the list of people accusing Bill Cosby of rape with this terrifyingly detailed account. (Vanity Fair)

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Entertainment Link-Off: All Good Things…

eliza taylor bello 1To the folks in North America, you can finally catch Exodus: Gods and Kings in theatres this weekend! It’s not a bad flick, but definitely not one of Ridley Scott’s finest. Meanwhile over in TV land, many shows are wrapping up the sweeps with their mid-season finales as they prepare to go on a break for Christmas and New Years. The 100 will air its midseason finale this Wednesday. It’s a good show and it certainly leaves you on edge. It also helps that Eliza Taylor is the star of the show. 

After the jump, Harrison Ford likes the Blade Runner 2 script, a bizarre crossover film was in discussion at one point, Bond is going over budget, movie trailers galore and listen to Jimmy Fallon and co. cover a classic song. Continue reading