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Michael Crichton, 'Jurassic Park' Author, Passes Away at 66


Michael Crichton, the best-selling author of such Sci-Fi-tinged, screen-adapted novels as 'Jurassic Park,' 'Congo' and 'The Andromeda Strain,' passed away Tuesday, ending a quietly fought battle with cancer.

Having earned his M.D. from Harvard University's Medical School, Crichton came to writing with a firm foundation (and fascination) with biotechnology. With his novels -- and their screen adaptations -- Crichton played a significant role in introducing biotech to the popular imagination as he early dealt with viral microorganisms in 'The Andromeda Strain,' as well as DNA and cloning in 'Jurassic Park.' He also explored robotics as director of 1973's 'Westworld,' about a resort in which all the cyborg-like help goes berserk. Crichton even dabbled in video games, helping create 'Timeline' in 1999 for Eidos Interactive.

Along with contemporaries like Stephen King and John Grisham, Crichton was one of few contemporary novelists to know real celebrity status, and will be missed by his many readers and fans. From: [Pop Eater via Asylum]
Engadget HD

'Mamma Mia!' Blu-ray Disc to Offer Shareable Video Commentary



We're still a little perplexed about this, but The HD Room has it on authority that the Blu-ray rendition of 'Mamma Mia!' will boast a Blu-ray first: Shareable video commentary. Trust us, we had the same reaction that you just did.

According to the specs, the "My Mamma Mia! Commentary" will allow users to "record their own video commentary while watching the movie and share it with friends," though we suspect you'll have to own a BD-Live-enabled player in order to do so.

Additionally, the film will be presented in 1080p widescreen with a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track, and it'll offer up on-screen lyrics for 22 songs, the 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!' music video and a number of less enthralling extras. Expect the BD to ship day-and-date with the DVD on December 16th for $39.98 (MSRP).

Old-School Kodachrome Film on the Way Out?



Eastman Kodak Co. may be ceasing production of its pioneering color film Kodachrome, devotees worriedly told the AP.

For decades, Kodachrome's uniquely vibrant colors made it the favorite medium of multitudinous still and video photographers, including amateur snapshot takers and National Geographic contributors alike. Since the '80s, the film's popularity has taken severe hits, one with the advent of affordable camcorders and another more recent hit with the explosive rise of digital photography. Still, many professional and art photographers hang on.

The most recently produced runs of Kodachrome film will expire in 2009, leaving Kodak little time to decide whether or not they will continue to produce it. As of yet, the company has not made public any decision.

While Kodachrome fans worry that their beloved will go the way of Polaroid, they will just have wait, cherishing the iconic images that made the film famous. [From: AP via Yahoo!]

Disney to Stream Full-Length Films on Web this Summer


Well, would you look at this. Not even a month after we heard that TiVo would be offering on-demand movie rentals from Disney comes word that PC Internet junkies will be able to get their fix this summer, too. Announced today, Disney.com will soon be delivering films from the 'Wonderful World of Disney' to the Web, as it streams out full-length movies gratis for Web viewers.

The deal is this: After a title airs on ABC as part of the network's Saturday night summer lineup, it will then be made available for streaming for one week (and one week only, we presume). It will also be serving up the Disney Channel Original Movie 'Camp Rock,' but this online presentation will also include "unique interactive content so fans can chat and play games while watching." For the full schedule of events, head on down to the read link below. [Source: Business Wire]
Engadget

Leonardo DiCaprio to Star in Atari Founder Biopic


Like something out of Bizzaro World, word on the street is that hunky dreamboat Leonardo DiCaprio will play Atari uber-nerd Nolan Bushnell in an upcoming biopic. According to reports, the film will detail Bushnell's life from his early work at amusement parks, through founding Atari and eventually building the Chuck E. Cheese's empire in a 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' meets 'Tucker' fashion.

We understand there will be a thrilling montage where Bushnell soundly defeats every Atari staff member at Pong, then builds the first animatronic Jasper T. Jowls with spare parts from a 1976 Impala. [Source: Hollywood Newsroom]

Californication's Rachel Miner Can't Wait to Get a Roomba



Actress Rachel Miner got her first big break in the' 80s when Woody Allen picked her for a role in 'Alice.' Since then, Rachel has been steadily working in television and the movies. She acted for years on daytime soap-opera 'Guiding Light,' and also appeared in hit TV series like 'Sex and the City' and 'CSI.'

She is currently starring in Showtime's new series 'Californication' -- also starring David Duchovony -- where she plays the role of Dani California, a secretary with double-crossing tendencies. Rachel got back to us with answers to the Switched Questionnaire. Although she's decidedly old-school when it comes to gaming, Rachel knows her way around the newest gadgets and is a huge music fan.

What gadgets do you always bring with you to the set for down-time?

My iPod, in fact I'll sometimes listen to it right up to the point the camera is set to role. The music really helps me stay focussed on the scene ahead. Downside is, when I do so, I sometimes am less aware of the environment around me. I'm not sure sure if it looks very sane to the people around me when I am bouncing around to music they can't hear. Oh well.


What cell phone do you have right now and what do you love/hate about it?

I have a Helio. I get service absolutely everywhere -- seriously, even inside elevators in underground parking lots. I guess I have a bit of a love hate relationship with the cute chirping sounds it makes when I dial. I think they're adorable, but they can bit intrusive when I'm in a quiet room surrounded by other people, I should probably turn that feature off, but it's so darn cute.


Who's the last person you sent a text message to and what was it about?

My boyfriend, some lovely dovey text. Yes... I am a girl, sorry.


Where do you go pretty much every time you get online?

I'm a huge fan of dictionaryreference.com... basically because I'm a geek. I also really dig TV's Top Five on AOL, basically cause I don't actually watch tv much and it keeps me from being a social outcast who doesn't know what's going on.


What annoys you most about your iPod, cell phone, or laptop?

They don't listen to reason! Try as I might to debate the finer points of why my laptop, iPod and cell phone should obey my every whim they so often blindly refuses to do what I ask despite the logic of my argument.


Name one thing you wish your iPod/cellphone/laptop could do that it doesn't do now?

Bedsides obey my every whim? Well, I guess it would be awesome if they cleaned my house too and had buttons which could pause time so I could actually have an opportunity to respond to all my messages without it taking up my whole day.


What upcoming gadget can you not wait to get your hands on?

I know I'll want whatever the next generation of Mac laptops is. Isn't that the game, every-time I think I'm up to date I go into the Mac store and there's a new computer that that's ten times cooler then the one I have. That and even though it's already out I still want a Roomba. I saw an ad for that and it looks so cool. I told you I want a computer that cleans my house.


You're stranded on a desert island: What gadget do you bring? (Give reason why.)

My cell phone, and a solar power charger. Does that defeat the question? Obviously I wouldn't be stranded for long in that case.


What's the most-played song or artist on your iPod?

It rotates, but my current top played list includes: The Pretenders, Otis Redding, Pulp, U2, Pixies, Spiritualized, David Bowie, Sigar Ros, Damien Rice, Postal Service, The Verve, Johnny Cash, John Lennon, Travis, The Cranberries, Chris Isaak, Firewater, The Band, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Peter Gabriel, Muddy Waters, and just discovered 'Maps' by the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs.

Yes, I have eclectic taste. The songs on my ipod range from Alice in Chains to Irish Folk music.


BlackBerry, Sidekick, or Treo?

Wow, I'm lame still using my cell phone to make calls and text message, I seriously need to catch up.


Are you getting an iPhone-if so, why?

At some point probably, love all the nifty features. I mean with what other phone could you spy on your friends houses from a birds eye view? Seriously, though it seems like an really fun useful gadget and it's cool looking.


What's the longest time you've ever spent playing a video game in one sitting and what game was it?

Your going to have to time warp back with me to the week that Super Mario Brothers 3 came out on the original Nintendo. Just to save face though, I have played video games since. Really liking 'Rock Band' and 'Wii sports.' But just haven't had the same kind of free time that I had when I was 10.


Mac or PC?

Mac. It's prettier and it explains things to me in cute symbols I don't have to have an IQ to understand. Honestly, can't make heads or tales of PC's.


Related Links:

Angela Bassett Loves Her iPhone



Angela Bassett has worked in theater and television, but her career so far has been best defined by her work in film. In the early '90s, she found roles in 'Boyz 'N The Hood' and 'Malcolm X,' and soon gave an Academy Award-nominated performance for her portrayal of Tina Turner in Tina Turner in 'What's Love Got to Do With It.'

Angela also starred in 'Waiting to Exhale' and 'How Stella Got Her Groove Back,' and she's worked with the likes of Whitney Houston, Spike Lee, Forest Whitaker and countless others. Her newest film, 'Meet the Browns,' finds her playing a single mom returning to Georgia for her father's funeral, and she meets the rest of her family for the first time.

Angela took time from her busy schedule -- she also helps out in the community and is an Ambassador for UNICEF -- and talked to us about technology for the Switched Questionnaire.


What was the best moment you had on the set while filming?

Family dinner


What's your favorite thing to watch in HD?

Discovery Channel HD


What gadgets do you always bring with you to the set for down-time?


None really, I'm too busy connecting with cast and crew.


What cell phone do you have right now and what do you love about it?


iPhone. I love the touch control. And I love that it lets me have pictures, music, directions all in one place


Where do you go pretty much every time you get online?


E-mails


What annoys you most about your iPod, cell phone, or laptop?


Does what it wants to do, human error


What upcoming gadget can you not wait to get your hands on?


Tying to familiarize myself with my present gadgets!!!


You're stranded on a desert island: What gadget do you bring?

Computer -- lets me stay connected and informed.


What's the most-played song or artist on your iPod?


Miles Davis' 'Anything'


BlackBerry, Sidekick, or Treo?


Treo


What's the longest time you've ever spent playing a video game in one sitting and what game was it?

Pacman – one minute

Mac or PC?

Mac. It's compatible with my iPhone and my old PC was done for.


Related Links:

Rolling Stones Offer Up 'Shine a Light' Soundtrack For Free Online



'Shine a Light' brings together Martin Scorsese and The Rolling Stones, two of the biggest names in film and music, for a new concert film shot at New York's Beacon Theatre. The band is releasing the concert's full soundtrack on imeem, an online music sharing community, a week before the album hits stores.

Filming concerts isn't a new arena for Scorsese -- he filmed the legendary concert 'The Last Waltz' back in 1978 featuring The Band, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, and countless others. Special guests Buddy Guy, Jack White and Christina Aguilera join the Stones in this concert film, and you can catch the trailer here.

Check out the soundtrack at imeem. You can listen to 30 second clips of each track, and registering with the site gives you access to the full live album.

Action Star Donnie Yen Talks Tech



Though you may not immediately recognize the name, you've probably seen martial arts star Donnie Yen in countless movies. As an actor, Donnie has worked with the likes of Jackie Chan, Wesley Snipes and Michelle Yeoh, and he fought opposite Jet Li in two of the best fight sequences ever captured on film ('Once Upon a Time in China II' and 'Hero'). In his newest action-packed film, 'Flash Point," Yen plays a renegade cop chasing down a trio of drug-dealing brothers, and the film is sure to be packed full of high-intensity Hong Kong style fights and stunts (view the trailer).

Donnie has branched out into film production, fight scene choreography, and even directing. Though he doesn't seem to be terribly obsessed with gadgets, Yen took time from his busy schedule to answer the Switched Questionnaire.


What gadgets do you always bring with you to the set for down-time?

I don't have any gadgets. I don't even play video games.


What cell phone do you have right now and what do you love/hate about it?

Being a Hong Kong resident, we switch almost every seven months.I'm currently using the iPhone.


Who's the last person you sent a text message to and what was it about?

"Happy New Year" to everyone


Where do you go pretty much every time you get online?

My fansite; where I can check out all the news about me. Then I usually have a look at Apple Daily.


What annoys you most about your iPod, cell phone, or laptop?

Push advertisements.


Name one thing you wish your iPod/cellphone/laptop could do that it doesn't do now?

I don't know, ever-lasting battery?


What upcoming gadget can you not wait to get your hands on?

I have an iPhone but I'm waiting for the MacBook Air.


You're stranded on a desert island: What gadget do you bring?

I wouldn't bring any gadgets!


What's the most-played song or artist on your iPod?

BeeGees!


BlackBerry, Sidekick, or Treo?

Neither. I gave up my BlackBerry plan, I can't stand it because I can't use it in China. And, I don't like the way it looks.


What's the longest time you've ever spent playing a video game in one sitting and what game was it?

I don't recall the last time I played video games.


Mac or PC?

I've been using macs for many, many years. I just think it's convenient and cool!


Related Links:

Final Whisper from 'Lost in Translation' Revealed


If you're a fan of the film 'Lost in Translation', love movies that take place in tech-friendly Tokyo, or just enjoy any film in which you get to stare at Scarlet Johansson in her underwear, then this post is for you. As long as you don't mind sucking the mystery out of things.

Through the magic of digital processing, some intrepid movie viewers have revealed the final whisper from the beautiful Sofia Coppola film. We won't tell you what Bill Murray is whispering here, we'll let you watch the video to find out. Though to be honest, we had a tough time picking out the words even with the digital processing.

From Fark

Related links:

Switched Video

 



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