The Secret of Kells

The Secret of Kells:

Young Brendan lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. To help complete the magical book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest that takes him into the enchanted forest where mythical creatures hide.

Just watched this on Netflix Instant with the boy. It has to be one of the most beautifully animated films I have seen, but it’s not your typical cartoon (the bad guy’s aren’t vanquished and the ending, though positive, is a bit ambiguous compared to typical kid’s movies). Despite that my son did like it and I think it’s because the animation was so imaginative.  Here are some clips from the film and this A.V. Club article does a good job laying out the film’s back story.

White Lincoln

I’m more than a little obsessed with Totally Nebular‘s White Lincoln. Some more of their odd yet catchy songs are on The Hype Machine. (via einstein music journal)

Google’s Seedy Street View

9eyes captures odd stills from Google’s Street View. People flipping the bird, puking, brandishing guns, getting busted, and much more.

“The body has a light and silky quality, like fresh whipped cream, that beautifully complements the ever-present note of citron, juniper berry and vanilla. As it cools, the cup blossoms into notes of confectioner’s sugar, rosehips, and soft raisin, resonating on a pristine finish with a touch of milk chocolate.” And then it does a seven-minute noise-rock jam in your colon.

The A.V. Club’s description of Wilco’s new coffee.

City Hall Station

The new longer trains had center doors on each car, and at City Hall’s tight curve, it was dangerous to open them. It was decided to abandon the station in favor of the nearby Brooklyn Bridge station, and so City Hall was closed to passenger service on December 31, 1945. The street entrances were sealed and the skylights covered over.

Wow, this totally goes against all the images of NYC subway stations that have been drilled into my head by TV and movies over the years. Tours of the defunct station have been suspended, but riders can still get a glimpse of it from trains that pass nearby. (via uncertain times)

Mobility = Security

This is the winner of the First Annual Zombie Apocalypse Safe House Competition. The designer says:

While I have spent many many hours daydreaming of the zombie apocalypse, I have never sat down and put pen to paper to create a plan. I have also wanted to take a trip up the Mississippi for some time now as well, so this project granted me the opportunity to explore the potential of all these things I love.

I’m glad that I’m not the only weirdo to think about this stuff (mostly during commercial breaks of The Walking Dead).  Make sure you view the full sized diagram of the SS Huckleberry. It’s pretty ingenious actually, using zombies sludge for fuel, a green house for food, and converted trailers for living quarters. (via things)

Harry Potter Meets The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

I just finished reading Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney. It was kind of a cross between Harry Potter (a boy leaves home to learn of magical things) and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the bad guys are a family of backwood witches that enjoy murdering and dining upon unsuspecting travelers).

It was a fun and fast read, sprinkled with moody illustrations by Patrick Arrasmith. Snag it from Amazon using this link and I should get a penance: Revenge of the Witch (The Last Apprentice)