Link-Off

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Entertainment Link-Off: Almost There

Katie Sackhoff and Tricia HelferIt’s time for the Entertainment Link-Off! It’s been a few busy weeks, so Steve has taken on the great task to cover the random entertainment news of the week. In theatres this weekend is the actioner Jack Reacher starring Tom Cruise or you can check out the Knocked Up spin off This is 40 starring Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann. If none of those suit your fancy, might as well check out The Hobbit again. Anyway, to make up for my absence, here’s a double dose of eye candy for you this week. Let’s kick it off with some Battlestar Galactica babes Tricia Helfer and Katie Sackhoff.

After the jump, check out the teaser for Star Trek: Into Darkness, movie mistakes galore, Samuel L. Jackson and Anne Hathaway have a sad-off, find out why Gandalf never rode on the eagles and a new Christmas tune to check out. Continue reading →

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Wednesday Link-Off: Reframing the Discussion

kelly-brook-newlook12-25‘Twas middle of the week before Christmas and all through HQ,
not a blogger was blogging. Not even… using undo?

Okay, I’m never going to make it as a poet. Maybe I’ll just stick to the links for today. Don’t worry, though. We’re still busy plugging away on posts. I’ll have a couple of video game posts to close out the week. Still working on next week, though. Next Wednesday will be our year-in-review set of links. I’ll probably have a best games of 2012 post next week, too. For today, it’s normal programming. Let’s start with English model Kelly Brook.

A lot of the hate after the Sunny Hook Elementary School Shooting was focused on the NRA and the so-called gun nuts. However, this has allowed the gun companies who make these guns to get away without any criticism or scorn. Maybe it’s time for that to change. (Gawker)

Contrary to some of the excuses people grasp at when tragedies like this occurs, part of the problem of why mass shootings is that easy access to excessively destructive firearms to very much engrained in American culture. (CBC News)

The NRA made a statement yesterday saying they won’t make a statement until Friday. They’ve been extremely silent since the Newtown shooting. (Ad Week) Like the Magary column up top said, maybe we should focus on Big Gun instead.

After the jump, the lack of connection between video games and gun violence, the story behind the fake Mass Effect 4 interview and an NBA Christmas album. Continue reading →

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Sunday Link-Off: The Right Time To Talk

chrissy-teigen-beachbunny12-07It’s the end of the week… Or maybe it’s the start of a new week. It all depends on your perspective and calendar. Maybe we should go with new week after the last couple of weeks. Anyway, let’s get started with one of Twitter’s common sense advocates, Chrissy Teigen.

The gun control debate might finally get going in earnest after Friday’s shooting in Newtown. If you’re looking for facts about mass shooting in the United States, start here. (Wonkblog – Washington Post)

Everyone that says that we shouldn’t politicize the Newtown shooting is politicizing it by trying to let any discourse over gun control end quietly. When they stop using that line, those trying to protect “freedoms” will start parroting these lies. (Think Progress) The fact of the matter is that if gun control would eliminate freedoms, traffic lights and speed limits should go too. If you think if this wouldn’t have happened if the kids and teachers were all packing heat, you are also obligated to believe that people should be free to buy cocaine, heroin, crystal meth and bath salts without fear of criminal penalty. It’s just the same damn thing.

The truth is that now isn’t the right time to talk about gun control. It’s too late. Everyday is the right day to talk about gun control. (The Daily Beast)

After the jump, the media’s coverage of the shooting, a breakdown of the new Wii Mini and Gangnam Style martial arts. Continue reading →

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Entertainment Link-Off: An Expected Journey

Welcome back to our weekly look at the worlds of entertainment and pop culture in the Entertainment Link-Off. I’m covering for Jackie this week after I slightly forgot about it last week… Anyway, there’s only one major wide release at the theatres this weekend. That would be the first part of The Hobbit trilogy. Yes, we’re going back to Middle Earth with Dr. Watson Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins. Don’t worry, though. Some old friends will be back including Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis, Hugo Weaving, Orlando Bloom and Cate Blanchett who stars as the only woman with a character in Middle Earth. Continue reading →

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Wednesday Link-Off: Power Brokers

laetitia-casta-hm12-04I’ve had a busy week this week. I’m working on a few interesting posts for the next couple of weeks that I think that you guys will like. But first, here’s French model Laetitia Casta who is making a brief return from an apparent semi-retirement.

A simple definition of insanity is doing the same thing but expecting different results. So looking for solutions to the fiscal cliff, some Politico writers asked some rich folks what they’d do. Surprisingly, they’d stay the course with tax cuts for the rich and corporations and the Politico boys bought it. (Esquire)

Did the press actually miss the single biggest story in the 2012 US Elections? (Huffington Post)

A fake study about Fox News viewers having below average intelligence fooled the folks at Yahoo News. However, that’s not to say the “results” of the “study” are untrue. (Daily Kos)

After the jump, don’t fuck with the internet’s power brokers, Valve/Steam’s game changer and Matt Bonner has a massive slam dunk. Continue reading →

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Sunday Link-Off: Toward the Cliff

anna-kendrick-trevorproject12-03It’s the end of the week which means it’s time for more links. There’s not too much planned for the week ahead. If the videos are ever uploaded to YouTube, we’ll have a VGA trailer roundup. We’ll also have our first indie game review later this week. For now, here’s Anna Kendrick. She might not be one of the blogosphere’s favourite women but she is one of ours.

With America ready to dive off the fiscal cliff, the question is starting rise as to whether the US and global economies would be better off with a Republican plan to cut social spending and “close tax loopholes” or letting the deal expire. (The New Republic)

The gun control debate is starting back up again. We’ve essentially reached the point where the battle lines are being drawn and people will have to pick sides. (The Shadow League)

On that note, given how much America spends on defence, isn’t it time that the defence budget is reduced? (Business Week)

After the jump, ESPN’s spin on plagiarism, some brief looks at the money of the video game business and a little bit of Metallica. Continue reading →

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Wednesday Link-Off: The Bigger Picture

doutzen-kroes-victoriassecret12-07Today, we take a break from the long reads to bring you our usual set of Wednesday links.  Don’t worry, though, because there is still some worthwhile reads in today’s links. But first, here’s Victoria’s Secret model Doutzen Kroes. Her appearance has everything to do with cashing in on last night’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

John McAfee’s run from the law in Belize has been a long running story in the tech world. The story is exposing the possibility of corrupt government officials in Belize and the ineptitude of the police for being unable to arrest him. (New York Times)

By now you’ve likely heard about the murder-suicide committed by NFL player Jovan Belcher. Here’s a breakdown of the timeline of that fateful Saturday. (Kansas City Star)

The editor-in-chief of The New Yorker thinks that Hilary Clinton will run for President in 2016. (The New Yorker)

After the jump, a celebrity is planning a Senate bid, what does a Marine think of Spec Ops and a DMX Christmas carol. Continue reading →

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Sunday Link-Off: Sports Bucks

michea-crawford-paindusucre12-01If you thought there was a lot to read on the blog last week, wait until you see we have what we have in store for this week. We have a review of the Mass Effect 3 Omega DLC, a look at the top Canadian racing driver prospects and our annual look at the Spike Video Game Awards and none of those are short posts. It’ll be a good week if you like long reads.  Anyway, let’s kick off the links with Canadian model Michea Crawford.

Conservative commentator S.E. Cupp says that it’s time Republicans stop worrying about ridiculous pledges they make to earn endorsements and worry about the electorate and being accountable to the voters. (New York Daily News) By the way, if you read the comments, you can see the Tea Partiers take issue with her common sense point of view in this column.

Forbes again released their list of the value of NHL franchises. The problem is that they seem to be making up the revenue numbers used for valuation and ignoring the fact that there’s a lockout. (mc79hockey)

You shouldn’t need any help figuring out why you should have Notre Dame football. If you do need help, here’s a Hater’s Guide to Notre Dame. (Deadspin)

After the jump, David Stern is drunk on his own power, the return of Iron Chef isn’t as successful as hoped and a modern Santa Claus Conquers The Martians. Continue reading →

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Entertainment Link-Off: Op-Ed

berenice-marlohe-omega12-07Once again, I draw in for Jackie for the entertainment links. Unfortunately, this weekend is a complete wasteland. Nothing noteworthy is opening this weekend. Okay, there’s that Killing Them Softly movie starring Brad Pitt which critics like and movie goers are lukewarm on. Since I don’t think she’s been featured in a set of the entertainment links, here’s Bond girl Berenice Marlohe. Continue reading →

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Wednesday Link-Off: Game On

It’s Wednesday which means it’s time for more links. I was almost too busy gaming to get this one done. Between Steam and the ME3 Omega DLC, my mouse and keyboard are getting a workout. So many games, so little time. Damn you, Steam. Damn you to hell. Anyway, even though she has nothing to do with video games here’s Canadian model and former pro wrestler Maryse Ouellet.

The possibility of higher tax rates doesn’t scare Warren Buffet, who is one of America’s richest men. He welcomes higher tax rates on the rich. (New York Times)

You might think that your password that contains capital letters, small letters, symbols and numbers will protect you from the evil of the internet. However, you’d be wrong. Your password may not save you. (Wired)

Ever want to be a writer? There’s never been a better time than the present. (Esquire)

After the jump, the Onion strikes again, a detailed look at the Wii U and winter videos. Continue reading →