Happy 2016! The new year is here! Plenty of things to look forward to this year include a whole bunch of film sequels on its way! Let’s kick off the first ELO of the year with Emily Bett Rickards! I am definitely excited for the return of Arrow later this month!
After the jump, a soft reboot for Prometheus, George Lucas does not have kind words for Disney, find out how much it costs to save Matt Damon at the movies, and Die Hard is the best Christmas movie ever! Continue reading
I just realized that people are more than willing to call December 23rd “Christmas Eve Eve” but no one calls December 30th “New Year’s Eve Eve.” It doesn’t really make sense to call one date an “eve eve” but not the other. Hell, you even have to do last-minute shopping on both eve eves. Granted, one is for gifts and this one is solely to get you drunk. Priorities, right?
Anyway, it’s the last Wednesday of 2015 which means that it’s time for us to do the links. Since it’s the last linkdump of the year, we have to lead off this post with our woman of the year. Using the scientific analysis criteria of the blog’s traffic, posts, comments and so on, for the second consecutive year, our woman of the year is Anna Kendrick.
Are those who want to limit free speech as a weapon to combat terrorism themselves a form of terrorist? It’s an interesting little debate. (The Intercept)
As we gear up for Presidential primaries starting next year, we witness the ongoing death of the Republican Party as a political group and the rise of an anti-establishment cultural movement in its stead. (Washington Post)
Why does everyone seem more scared of everything thing this year than last? Because the TV news is exploiting your fear for ratings. (Rolling Stone)
The timing of holidays can really mess you up if you aren’t keeping on top of your calendar. For example, it wasn’t until late last night that I realized that yesterday was Saturday. All I knew about yesterday was that I had some shopping that needed to be done since the best deals of the year were on Boxing Day. I bought more than I wanted to, saved more than I care to admit and still didn’t buy much in the way of impulse buy items (I really want one of those colour changing party speakers but can’t justify the price). I don’t think anyone is looking forward to their credit card bills in January.
Anyway, since it’s apparently Sunday, we have to do the links and hopefully make me a penny or two towards my Christmas bills. Let’s kick things off with Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach.
Ted Cruz was right about something. The more ex-felons are Democrats than Republicans. The problem is that’s not what he said. To say that most violent criminals are Democrats isn’t exactly true nor does it deviate from the general population. (Washington Post)
Anonymous’ cyberwar on ISIS has now turned the focus to its allies. They recently took down the internet in Turkey for their support of ISIS. (The Hill)
Internet freedom in America is dying. This isn’t just about CISA being included in the recently passed omnibus budget. (Motherboard)
It’s the Christmas long weekend! By the time this post goes up, it should be boxing day already. Anyway, hope all the Lowdown readers are having a wonderful holiday season. Now let’s get to the links shall we? Kicking things off is Emma Robert’s latest shoot for Allure. Now suddenly I feel like watching Scream Queens since I missed out on the initial 13 episode run.
After the jump, Johnny Depp is severely overpaid, more Star Wars related news, less sexual violence for Game of Thrones, Jimmy Fallon is winning the late night battle and celebrate the 12 days of Deadpool with the brand new red-band trailer! Continue reading
You know, I really think that this Christmas Eve Eve and yesterday’s Christmas Eve Eve Eve shit is just dumb. Today is December 23rd. If you need help remembering that it’s the day before the day before Christmas, I’m not sure that calling it Christmas Eve Eve will be that much of a benefit to you in the long run. I probably sound like a surly old bastard but kids these days just don’t make any sense. I wonder if they think they’re being funny. That’s not how humour works.
Anyway, it’s Wednesday so it’s time for us to do the links. Normally, I’d kick off with someone but I didn’t find anyone before I dozed off watching StarCraft last night. More on that at the bottom of the post.
Donald Trump could win the Republican primary but could he beat anyone in an election. A new poll has Bernie Sanders 13 points ahead of Trump. (The Hill)
Many Canadians can’t afford homes and blame foreign buyers. Will banning them help at all? (Quartz)
PostMedia is disintegrating from the inside. Maybe if they focused a bit on journalism and being a news organization, things would be different right now. (iPolitics)
I know Jackie gave his quick thoughts on Star Wars: The Force Awakens yesterday but I don’t think I’m capable of doing it quickly. Our review podcast could either be 30 minutes or 3 hours depending on how much we argue about. I think we’ll both agree that we loved it and will be going multiple times. We’ll let you know when to expect the review.
Anyway, that’s a problem for a future date. For now, we’ve got to focus on some links. Let’s kick things off with Erin Heatherton.
America’s Omnibus budget bill also included the dreaded CISA, Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act. I hope you don’t value your privacy. (Engadget)
Fox News’ “fair and balanced” slogan might get mocked but it’s not off the mark when it comes to the Republican primary. They’re giving a good grilling to the frontrunners. (The Fix)
Carly Fiorina was near the head of the GOP polls for a little bit. Now, she might be talking her way out of any chance. She has a pretty poor relationship with the facts. (Salon)
Steve and I will likely go into more detail in a possible upcoming podcast but I’ll share my quick thoughts on Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Overall, it was a good flick. While it doesn’t quite match the highs of the original trilogy, it is still miles ahead of the prequels. At times it feels like a quasi-rehash of A New Hope but the new characters are compelling and I’m definitely excited to see where the new journey will lead to. Anyway, the notable star of the flick is Daisy Ridley as Rey, so let’s kick off the ELO with her at the European premiere of the film.
After the jump, quick look at the new Ghostbusters, more Star Wars tidbits, trailers for a lot of sequels next year and watch Spider-Man take on Darth Maul in a death battle. Continue reading
I’m not sure whether I should start this post by saying after a ten-year wait or a thirty-two-year wait. It’s been ten years since the prequel trilogy ended but we’re 32 years past the conclusion of the original trilogy that The Force Awakens picks up from. I’ve basically sequestered myself from all things Star Wars since the trailer in October so I’m going in nearly blind. As I mentioned earlier this week, we’re planning a movie review podcast at some point soon to talk Star Wars.
There are no Star Wars links in today’s set of links. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t start with Daisy Ridley who stars in the new movie.
A former Romney staffer got into a Donald Trump focus group and found his party completely broken. (The Daily Beast)
Ted Cruz is vaulting up the Republican primary polls but is he any better than either Trump or Carson? (Rolling Stone)
For the next few weeks, the battle will be between Trump and Cruz. I’m still hoping that Rubio surges up the polls. He seems like one of the more sensible candidates now that Christie skewed hard right to make up for getting along with Obama post Hurricane Sandy. (Vox)
Did anyone tune into UFC 194 expecting an absolute war between Conor McGregor and Jose Aldo? We got an epic but I don’t think you could call a one-punch, thirteen-second fight a war. I figured that Aldo would keep Conor out of reach with leg kicks until they went to the ground. Maybe that was the plan but I don’t think that you can enact it in 13 seconds.
Anyway, it’s Sunday which means it’s time for us to do the links. Let’s change things up for today and kick off the post with Heidi Klum. She may be in her 40s but there’s still an easy 13 seconds joke to be made here.
Following the Trump plan to ban Muslims from America, President Obama used his weekly address to warn that such public discrimination against Muslims only serves to help ISIS. (The Hill)
Interestingly, a recent poll suggests that nearly two-thirds of Americans are scared about Trump in the White House. I’m thinking of moving if he’s elected and I don’t even live in America. Tierra del Fuego seems like a sufficiently isolated part of the world. (New York Post)
“America does have a cybersecurity problem – but the NSA is part of it.” (The Guardian)
Oh we’re just counting down the days as Star Wars is about to hit cinemas in a matter of days! There aren’t any big notable releases as everyone is trying to shy away from the box office juggernaut. Perhaps it’s a good time to catch up on all the TV shows! Anyway, let’s kick off the ELO with Shay Mitchell. Now I’m thinking I should start tuning into Pretty Little Liars…
After the jump, MadTV reunion is on its way, Lionsgate wants Hunger Games prequels, The Good Dinosaur isn’t so good for Pixar, movie trailers galore including X-Men: Apocalypse and imagine Downton Abbey with American accents. Continue reading
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