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2013

Gadgets: The Good, The Bad and the Coming Soon

by Alex David Jimenez

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We’re well on our way into 2014, and with each milestone we pass, the future becomes more, well, nerdy. Nerdy, that is, in the sense of existing on a more technology and algorithm-based plane. The planet around us is growing smaller as more and more of our OS and HTML obsessed brains grow just a little bit larger. The tech world grows faster every day, and it shows. The late 2013 is no exception to the rule, having given us many bright new gadgets, as well as many dull ones.

In a nutshell, here are the better, best, and not-so-good #gadgets of 2013, (as well as the rising stars to watch in 2014) including smart phones, tablets, laptops, gaming systems, wearable tech, apps, mobile operating systems, and other miscellaneous gadgets.


Smart Phones 2013

Winner: Apple iPhone 5s

Runner-up: HTC One

Loser: Blackberry Z10

The one to watch in 2014: Motorola Project ARA

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Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg – financesonline.com

Tablets 2013

Winner: Apple iPad Air

Runner-up: Google Nexus 7

Loser: Microsoft Surface RT

The one to watch in 2014: Amazon Kindle Fire HDX

Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg - financesonline.com
Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg – financesonline.com

Laptops 2013

Winner: Apple MacBook Air 13″

Runner-up: Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus

Loser: Google Chromebook Pixel

The one to watch in 2014: Asus Taichi

Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg - financesonline.com
Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg – financesonline.com

Gaming Systems 2013

Winner: Sony Playstation 4

Runner-up: Microsoft XBox One

Loser: Ouya

The one to watch in 2014: Oculus Rift

Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg – financesonline.com

Wearable Tech 2013

Winner: Pebble Smartwatch

Runner-up: Misfit Shine

Loser: Samsung Galaxy Gear

The one to watch in 2014: Google Glass

Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg – financesonline.com

Mobile Apps 2013

Winner: Waze

Runner-up: Blackberry Messenger

Loser: Twitter #Music

The one to watch in 2014: Tinder

Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg – financesonline.com

Mobile OS 2013

Winner: Android 4.4 KitKat

Runner-up: Apple iOS 7

Loser: Blackberry BB10

The one to watch in 2014: UBUNTU

Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg – financesonline.com

Other Gadgets of 2013

Winner: Google Chromecast

Runner-up: NEST Project

Loser: Hapilabs Hapifork

The one to watch in 2014: Leap Motion

Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg – financesonline.com

All graphics are courtesy Finances Online and designed by Ruby Media Corporation

 

 

Filed Under: OPINION, TECHNOLOGY Tagged With: 2013, 2014, Apple, asus, best, Blackberry, chrome book, chrome cast, gadgets, Google, HTC, ios, Leap Motion, microspft, Nest, pebble, playstation, Samsung, tech, technology, Twitter, waze, worst, xbox

Year End List: Best albums of 2013

by Rio Toro

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Excuse me for the misleading title, but these are not the best albums of 2013 — saying something as extensive as that would be beyond my reason for making this list. Keep in mind, this is not necessarily because this year didn’t produce albums that could be called “the best”, but because of my predicament of being only 1 person, I clearly could not have listened to, as well as properly digested every single one of them. With that being said, these 10 picks are the albums I have deemed to be the most special; the ones which have impacted me as an individual and are perfect despite any minor or major flaws they may have. Through my travels, I have come to the conclusion that best-of lists aren’t about being “correct”, but about an expression of one’s individuality, and most importantly, a representation of our freedom to love any piece of crap we choose to.

So yes, I have decided to limit this year-end list to but 10 albums. I had originally planned for it to be 20, but then I thought it might as well be 25, and if it was going to be 25, it might as well be 30, or any other random number. So I decided to do away with attempting to commemorate every album I enjoyed this year (I only had about 5 negative reviews, so there were quite a lot) and instead focus on the ones that were always in the back of my head; the ones that happened to latch on to memories and grab hold of something real that was going on in my life through these past 12 months.

What writing album reviews has really taught me though, is that there is no album no matter how horrendously bad or typical, that I can’t derive some sort of pleasure from. Maybe this means that I shouldn’t be a critic, as when I think about it, there wasn’t one album I listened to this year that some part of me doesn’t love and admire. Even the ones I wrote negative things about I find myself returning to time and time again, and it really makes me feel bad for critics who are known for writing excessively negative and scathing reviews. I mean, music is supposed to be enjoyable right? Saying something like “we need bad albums to make the good ones be good” is just ridiculous, and can be equated to a religious conservative saying that gay marriage ruins marriage for everyone else. Anyhow, I sure am happy that I enjoy music as much as I do, and I continue to pray every night that I don’t wake up deaf. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my reviews throughout this year and can see why I’ve chosen these as my top 10.

P.S. — I cheated on this list, a lot… (There is a particularly ugly tie, I’ve included EPs, mixtapes, as well as lumped together releases from artists who had more than one release over the past 12 months)

Runner Ups: Kelela: CUT 4 ME, Neko Case: The Worse Things Get…, Baths: Obsidian, Julia Holter: Loud City Song, Forest Swords: Engravings, Wolf Eyes: No Answer Lower Floors, RP Boo: Legacy

 

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10.) James Holden: The Inheritors

I still have yet to make up my mind between whether The Inheritors is a noise record, a chill out record, or one disguised as the other. I do know, though, that it’s the reason Boards of Canada’s Tomorrow’s Harvest didn’t come anywhere close to making this list. Built out of long, single take analog keyboard improvisations, these 15 tracks are all about balancing the unfolding chaos that ensues when an artist has access to such a massive horde of equipment. James Holden fully harnesses the ability to create stirring, raw, and off balanced compositions with his virtuosic talent. No matter whether he was chronicling free jazz, hauntology, krautrock, trance or techno, The Inheritors never once lost its drive/

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9.) James Blake: Overgrown

This release doesn’t quite fit in with the others in my top 10. Unlike my other choices, Overgrown isn’t what one would call experimental. It’s not boundary pushing, and the sound it offers ventures closer to the mainstream than I’m usually accustomed to. But being the Blake fanatic that I am, I really forced myself to listen to Overgrown a lot, and its transformative secrets were soon revealed to me. Truly though, what we have here is actually a rather straightforward soul record that draws as much from Joni Mitchell as it does from the UK bass scene. If until now Blake has been in a state of constant flux, this is by far his most reserved and contemplative release yet. It’s no misstep for a producer as immaculate as Mr. blake though, as this is a record that proved to provide a draw unlike any other this year. With a chilly, isolated vibe that feels as though it was carved out of ice, to the deeply passionate and often profound lyricism, to Blake’s newfound vocal prowess that matches the oft used sub aquatic bass pulses with ease, Overgrown can stand right up with James’ greatest accomplishments.

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8.) Arcade Fire:Reflektor/Kanye West: Yeezus (tie)

I find it funny that what were arguably the two most anticipated albums of the year also turned out to be the two most polarizing. Even a mention of one of these two albums on Facebook or Youtube will get you spammed by two varying sides to the unsolvable equation. You may feel like you’ve already heard enough about them, but the way I see it, whenever the line of approval is cut in a way like it is with these two albums you know something genius must be at work. Polarization isn’t the only thing these two masterpieces have in common though. In fact, besides Yeezus being brief and Reflektor being extensive, they pretty much offer identical listening experiences. Both are obsessed with pushing boundaries, draw heavily from the influence of their producers, have thematic elements about the warped state of humanity, and proudly declare themselves to be a work of art. When it comes down to it though, whether you liked these albums or not, these were the absolute essential albums you couldn’t not listen to if you were part of 2013. I’d personally argue that this also makes them two of the most important. If this is the sound of cockiness and overindulgence and pretentiousness, these words have never sounded better and meant more.

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7.) Arca: &&&&&

This year saw some truly extraordinary and adventurous mixtapes — most notably from the likes of 18+, Le1f, and Kelela — but the most jaw dropping one for me was by far Arca’s &&&&&, whose alien tendencies have yet to diminish from my mindset throughout the extensive time I have spent with it. With this release, his production work on Yeezus and FkA Twigs’ EP2, the enigmatic producer dominated on all fronts this year and made a pretty undeniable case that he is one of the true forces to be reckoned with in electronic music. His music represents the current extreme of where beat making can go, and how far samples can be mutilated to the point of taking on entirely new forms. If you had half an hour to kill in 2013 , there were very few ways to do it that were better than this.

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6.) These New Puritans: Field of Reeds

This spot was a fight between this album and Julia Holter’s Loud City Song for the year’s best orchestrally based indie record. To be honest, Julia Holter crafted an equally compelling statement, but for some reason, I’ve listened to Field of Reeds countless more times and feel an compulsive attraction towards it. The album has a certain elusiveness to it that I still to this date am unable to shake – and I’m happy continuing this undying trend until my listens reach the triple digits. Maybe it’s just my obsessive personality, but no matter how many times I listen to Field of Reeds I’ll still be dying to listen to it again in a week no matter how many other great albums I seem to find elsewhere. The orchestrations are the perfect mix of grand and minimal, the cast of characters is varied and cohesive, and I haven’t heard the type of rare beauty present here since Sigur Ros’ finest achievement, ( ).

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5.) Oneohtrix Point Never: R Plus Seven

There were a whole lot of artist transformations that occured this year, but i’d say none were as fluent and as gapless as R Plus Seven. Daniel Lopatin’s new world was so fluent, in fact, that is was hard to see exactly how much had changed since the artist’s previous release, Replica, without comparing the two side by side. R Plus Seven brought all the abstract noises, found sounds, and vintage synthesizers of Replica hurdling into the 3rd dimension. These were some of the most labored over and sublimely intricate electronic manifestations of the year, as well as some of the most stripped down and otherworldly atmospherics — like a dystopian epic and a lazy Sunday wrapped into one. It’s the kind of music that makes my brain amazed it can even comprehend such a thing. It wasn’t necessarily the compositions that made this release so great though. For every time I listened to R Plus Seven, I found myself lost in existential thought, dreaming about some absurd idea that would never make sense within our world. This is music about escaping reality and concentrating on the components of life that aren’t really there. It’s the year’s best thinking man’s (or woman’s) record, in a sense.

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4.) Dean Blunt: The Redeemer + Stone Island

Now this guy is a real screw up, isn’t he? Everything he puts out is sorely crafted, crumbling at the edges, only warranting a spin or two for a laugh. Only somehow, through our mocking, this music manages to grab a hold of something internal, and when it hits you it might just make you realize why you love music in the first place. All joking aside though, I always “liked” The Redeemer. Truly, I did. But I didn’t think it would be an album I would enjoy coming back to time and time again as the months went on. I thought of it as being too damaged to truly love. Admittedly, its impact didn’t entirely sink in until Stone Island: a secretly released sequel which furthered the majestic orchestrated sounds of its predecessor. These two releases together continue to stand as a grand expedition of heartache, lost souls, and the power of music in overcoming life’s greatest torment: the relationship.

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3.) Burial: Truant/Rough Sleeper + Rival Dealer

The bookends of 2013 were over taken by surprise releases from London’s finest, AKA Burial. With Truant/Rough Sleeper in January and Rival Dealer in December, the producer took on a wealth of new ideas and crafted what I consider to be quite inarguably his two best releases to date. In fact, if this whole reviewing process were entirely up to me (god damn you editors!) this would have been at #1, as half of these other albums wouldn’t have even existed without Burial in the first place. Ok, maybe that’s a blanket statement, and I wouldn’t say it’s true for the next artist down the list who may have in fact…oops, I’ve already said too much! Anyway, read my reviews if you want to learn more about these stunning releases. Off to number…

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2.) The Knife: Shaking The Habitual

No other album to come out this year feels as permanent as Shaking The Habitual. Contrary to popular belief, this is a complete, unmovable statement that is 100% worthy of its sky high ambitions. Not one sound or electronic ripple could be taken away or replaced to make this release any better than it already is. And although at its surface — the schizophrenic patterns, 20 minute ambient stretches, themes about gender/identity crisis —  it may seem like a hard left turn for a supposed “pop” group, Shaking The Habitual is really just a continuation of what The Knife have always done best: atmosphere and sounds. Through their 12 year career they’ve continuously pushed and twisted and scrambled their formula until they’ve arrived at a new, ultimately meaningful destination to make an album (or opera) about. With its cinematic worthy running time and emphasis on extremely mutilated found sounds, Olaf and Karen have undoubtedly put out their most challenging and mystifying work yet, but unlike most double albums, it’s devoid of what one would call “filler”, and continues to be rewarding through innumerable amounts of playthroughs.

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1.) Autre Ne Veut: Anxiety

This was an easy pick for me. Even if “Play By Play” was the only great song on this album — which it’s absolutely not — it still would have been album of the year for being the most groundbreaking and inspiring pop song of the last several years. Autre Ne Veut speaks towards the apex of human creativity and imagination just as Grimes and Death Grips did last year. But there’s something I find even more special about Autre though. The way he channels all his energy into belting out one awkwardly sung phrase after another; the way he grabs hold of the listener’s attention through abrasiveness, only to come off like Whitney Houston a moment later; and how he does all of this with a desperate, bleeding intensity that lays his innards scattered across the floor for us to inspect. As one would expect, the effect this sort of music has is beyond polarizing, but luckily, in my case, this demented form of pop music gives me insurmountable pleasure. These are the songs stuck in my head all day, the ones I (try to) sing in the shower, as well as the ones that inspire me to try my hand at creating my own “pop” music. Autre Ne Veut may not be the future of where pop music is headed, but with Anxiety, Arthur Ashin has made a perfect and masterful album of what pop music is truly about, as well as the heights that this tainted genre can still take us in 2013.

Filed Under: BREAKING NEWS, ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, OPINION, REVIEWS Tagged With: 2013, arca, arcade fire, Autre Ne Veut, best albums, burial, dean blunt, james blake, james holden, kanye, music, oneohtrix point never, the knife, these new puritans

2013: Top 10 TV Shows for the Year

by Peter Foy

December is pretty much the most satisfying month of the year for me, but not for the usual holiday cheer or what have you. As a cultural critic, I get incredibly giddy and anxious about composing a best of the year list, and will often spend so much of December’s 31 days going over and over in my head about what titles deserve what place in my self-coveted spot. Some friends of mine will verify that last year I blew off a post-Christmas party so that I could catch a screening of D’Jango Unchained so that I could write my 2012’s best films list ASAP (Please help if you think I might have a problem. D’Jango Unchained did not even make my top 10 for that year.).

So it comes with great pleasure that I was able to formulate a top 10 list for television shows relatively early in the month. I was a bit hesitant about writing is just now, but as my fellow Manhattan Digest contributor Michael Tyminski just elaborated on (here), we’re currently in a stand-still for weekly quality television at the moment, and we should consider that the best of the year has already happened. Therefore, I feel now is the perfect time to unleash my take on what were my favorite shows of the past year, right before unleashing my gargantuan best-films list at the month’s end(I’m currently aiming for it to be a top-25). Keep in mind I haven’t seen everything that aired this past year, with The Americans, The Bridge, Justified, American Horror Story, and Hannibal being a few of the critically acclaimed shows I missed. You could say I’m unqualified to write this list, but believe it or not, I do have a social life.

10. Masters of Sex

Gallery

Those that read my review for the Masters of Sex pilot know that I basically saw it as Mad Men-lite, so I’m both glad and surprised to say how strongly the quality of the show shifted during the rest of the season. It really is an intelligent break down on sexual relations of all shapes and forms, without being overtly raunchy or obvious. It certainly isn’t without melodrama (like Nip/Tuck, it’s essentially a sexed-up soap opera), but the acting often surpasses the occasionally hokey writing, with all the cast fully understanding how to find quality tv drama here, and who would have thought Michael Sheen and Liz Caplan would have such chemistry? I even take back what I said about how I felt the film making seemed anachronistic, as the production values do allow the show to look both modern, and a part of the time period it’s depicting. Here’s hoping it doesn’t follow the same pattern of other Showtime series like Dexter and Homeland, which followed up their strong debut seasons with subsequent ones that were more a mixed bag.

9. Parks and Recreation

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It’s just so re-assuring to see that this show has remained so strong into it’s 6th year. Maybe it’s the consistently witty writing, or the unique subject matter to fit the now tired faux-documentary format, but I think that it’s more or less because of the cast. They really did pick a dream-team of comics for this show, and I’m hoping my holy trinity (Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, and Nick Offerman) will be getting a very special collaborative episode in the near future. My pick for the best show on network television right now…at least until we see Dan Harmon’s return as showrunner for Community next year.

8. House of Cards

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2013 will probably go down as the year web-based-television really took off, and what’s a better show to ring it in than House of Cards. An intimidating political thriller featuring an all-star cast of film actors, the show really demonstrates that Netflix is interested in garnering some of the prestige that HBO has hogged up since The Sopranos. Executive producers David Fincher and Eric Roth, and show runner Beau Willimon clearly wanted to do more than just adapt the British mini-series, and they’ve created a very modern take on Shakespearean drama, in a very seedy and all too present backdrop. Stylish and chilly (albeit a little soulless at times), I for one am really hoping the show doesn’t suffer a sophomore slump next season…but I don’t think that will be a problem.

7. Enlightened

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It seems like every year there’s a great show that’s taking off the air way too early, and this year’s was definitely Enlightened. After a rough but entertaining first season, the show really found it’s voice in these final eight episodes, which saw main character Amy try and take down the corporate world that had employed her. Carefully plotted from start to end, the season was thoughtful, angry, cautious, and sweet in a way that’s hardly seen on television, even on HBO. It’s a shame that it didn’t find it’s audience in time to avoid a cancellation, but it can rest peacefully with the likes of Terriers and Party Down with this mantra lain upon it: “We just needed a little bit of time to be brilliant”.

6. Mad Men

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I’ll admit the show had a bit of a rough start this season. Seeing Don reading Dante’s Inferno, or hearing Betty make bizarre comments about rape made me think that Matthew Weiner and his writers had finally lost a grip on subtlety. Fortunately though, the show got back to it’s usually excellent standards quickly enough, with episodes that ranged from thematically rich like A Tale of Two Cities, to the deliciously surreal The Crash. A really unexpected ending too, and also one that makes one think that the real face of Don Draper has yet too be uncovered.

5. Orange is the New Black

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Jenji Kohan’s fictionalized take on Piper Kerman’s memoir is the best new show of the year by a long shot. While Kohan’s past experience as the creator of Weeds is visible in the show’s sense of humor and strong female characters, it will surprise many how this one season of Orange is the New Black is already so much more complex and subversive than Weeds was throughout its entire eight season run. It’s an examination on ethnicity and gender, as well as a suspenseful serial with no aversion to using cliffhangers, as well as a cheer inducing drama about the power of the human spirit. There’s been much talk over the past few months about how a lot of signature television series are ending soon, but we should rest assured that if Orange is the New Black is the designated torch holder for the likes of Breaking Bad and Mad Men, then there’s absolutely nothing to worry about. This is the reason you got a Netflix account!

4. Game of Thrones

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I have to admit that I haven’t been as in love with Game of Thrones as some of you other people. Sure, it’s a show that possibly has the most impressive production values in TV history, and the nerd in me is just so elated to see a beloved series of fantasy novels turned into an exceedingly popular and adult television serial for a premium station. Still though, I have to say that I had found the previous two seasons too removed from reality for me to care too much about the characters. This season, however, changed everything and I did find myself completely immersed in George R.R. Martin’s characters, and the horrible ordeals he puts them through. There were just so many great scenes this season, from Jaime and Brehn’s tear-soaked bath, to Jon Snow’s coupling with Ygritte, and of course there was that little scene in the penultimate episode that made us go straight to our twitter feeds and express how incredible this fucking show is! No need to exaggerate here, Game of Thrones is the best high fantasy epic ever put to screen.

3. Girls

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Did Lena Dunham silence the haters for the sophomore season of her rather divisive HBO dramedy…hell no! What we can be thankful for, however, is that Ms. Dunham did indeed step up her game as a writer and director this season, making it even more raw and dirty than the first year, but with far greater pay-off. We witnessed the characters explore issues of sexuality and over-privilege, while also dropping great hints about how unhappy they are underneath their seeming self-regard. People will continue to think Girls is a shallow and niche take on contemporary 20-something life from a jaded and shallow 20-something, but these people seriously needs to see the episode One’s Man Trash, as I feel it’s the most indepth and intrinsic work that Dunham has done to date.  Feel free to continue calling the show a pretentious piece of shit, but just don’t call it the new Sex and the City, as it’s a lot closer to being the new Sopranos.

2. Eastbound and Down

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I was wary at first about Eastbound and Down returning for another season, as the creators had previous stated that season 3 would be their last. Fortunately though, it didn’t take long into this season to realize there was still more story to be told about Kenny Powers, and in the end this season proved to be an even better ending for this series. Seeing the character regress from a family man back into a debaucherous dick-head just seemed so genuine for the show, but it was also surprising to see the merits this character would achieve as the season went on. It all led up to a finale that was even more grandiose and satisfying than the conclusion for that other brilliant show that ended this year (see below), and really makes me hopeful that Eastbound and Down will be looked at as an influential American comedy in future years, and find a larger audience. It’s a sit-com that re-invented itself each year, told a fluid and progressive story, and managed to be consistently funny, yet a sad and weighty tale as well. If you haven’t already, now’s the time to watch all 29 episodes of the best comedy that HBO has ever aired (with all respect to Curb Your Enthusiasm).

1. Breaking Bad

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No surprise, right? Those of you that read my Breaking Bad: The Legend Ends column already know my thought concerning this show’s final batch of episodes, but I would like to make one final comment: The episode Ozymandias, is what I feel really made this series shine. It was just such a devastating and no holds barred episode that used the serialized and organic nature of the show’s entire run to bring it to an all time dramatic high. It really was the episode we had been waiting for since we witnessed Walt make that unfortunate decision to become a meth cook back in the pilot, and the result was the show’s true transgression from brilliant pulp into great tragedy. It was one of the very best episodes a TV show has ever had…and the next two weren’t too shabby either. There, that’s all that remained to be said.

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, TELEVISION Tagged With: 2013, Breaking Bad, Cancelled shows, Eastbound and Down, Enlightened, game of thrones, Girls, hbo, house of cards, Liz Caplan, mad men, Masters of Sex, Michael Sheen, netflix, Orange is the New Black, television, Top ten list

Emmy Nominations Are In: What Do They Say About the Big Picture in TV?

by Michael Tyminski

Source: Emmys.com

This morning, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences released its’ list of nominees for the 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards. With the list of nominees, we can take away some conclusions about the state of television over the past year.

Netflix’s original programming model is for real: Amid the nominations, we see a handful of nominations for Netflix Originals Arrested Development and House of Cards. House of Cards seems to hold a slightly higher position on the totem pole, scoring nominations for both Kevin Spacey for best actor as well as a best drama nod for the show itself. Arrested Development received a best actor nomination for Jason Bateman to add to Netflix’s prestige. The network which started releasing original shows in February is off to a good start critically (as well as commercially, as proven by the rumors of a pushed season 5 for Arrested Development).

The major networks did not have a strong year: Many of the major categories this year seem to be dominated by the cable networks and premium channels such as Showtime and HBO. While this doesn’t surprise me (the only strong drama for the big four this season was Hannibal and barely half the season was over by the May 31st cut-off date). This trend is particularly strong on the drama side of the ledger, where the only broadcast show being considered for best drama is PBS’s Downton Abbey. On the comedy side, the trend is slightly less harsh, but mostly due to the heaping of praise the Academy has placed on 30 Rock’s final season. There is however, one show on the major networks that is standing up against this wave of cable dominance, because…

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences really likes Modern Family: If there was one scripted show on network TV that the Academy has fallen in love with, it’s Modern Family, which has become a master-class for domestic comedies and props up a successful night for ABC. The show has a large number of nominations spread across a variety of categories including best comedy, best supporting actor (with three nominations there), best supporting actress, best writing for a comedy, and best directing for a comedy.

After a few down years, HBO is back and carried on a mix of younger shows and miniseries: After struggling around the end of the last decade, HBO has taken back it’s role as the main home to high quality television. The academy heaped praise upon sophomore comedies Veep and Girls, as well as third-season drama Game of Thrones. Similarly, it’s Liberace feature Behind the Candelabra has received a large amount of attention from the Academy, scoring 15 nominations.

Finally, the Academy did not forget Louie, in spite of skipping a season and airing at the very beginning of this year’s broadcast window: It may have been airing at this time last year (the Emmy window goes from June to May, unlike many other awards), but last year’s transcendent and critically adored second season of Louie has received a large number of nominations in almost every category that the show could qualify for (added bonus for Louis C.K. Also getting a best guest actor nomination for his hosting gig on Saturday Night Live). It’s nice to see, because while it seems that many movies begging for Oscar nods try to crowd into the end of the Oscar window, that the Academy of TV Arts and Sciences didn’t forget a show that could have easily escaped public consciousness over the year.

This years 65th Annual Emmy Awards are on Sunday September 22nd at 8 p.m. on CBS. I’ll be here covering the show that night in the same breezy rapid-fire style that I used to cover the Oscars and Grammys.

The full list of Emmy nominations can be found here: http://www.emmys.com/nominations

Filed Under: BREAKING NEWS, ENTERTAINMENT, TELEVISION Tagged With: 2013, 30 Rock, Arrested Development, Behind the Candelabra, breaking news, CBS, Emmy Awards, FX, game of thrones, Girls, hbo, house of cards, Louie, Louis CK, Modern Family, netflix, Nominations, Veep

The 2013 MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet

by Ryan Shea

The 2013 MTV Movie Awards were last night at the fashion never fails to intrigue me.  The MTV Movie Awards bring out all walks of the celebrity life.  From movie stars to musicians to your favorite reality stars.  There were a few great ensembles on the red carpet last night and, true to Movie Awards tradition, there were some outlandish fashion train wrecks!

Actress Crystal Reed looked classy and trendy in her coral and nude lace overlay dress.  The bottom was pumped up with a tulle and looked like a beautiful tutu.  And the nude pumps made her legs looking miles long!

Crystal Reed
Crystal Reed

 

Bridesmaids’ Melissa McCarthy rocked all black with gold accessories.  I think the was a great pick for Melissa the funny girl looks slim and glowing!

 

Melissa McCarthy
Melissa McCarthy

 

Model Karlie Kloss’ all white skirt and crop top was sexy!  The shoes were by far my favorite part of the outfit!  I am obsessed with ankle straps right now!  So chic.

 

Model Karlie Kloss
Model Karlie Kloss

 

My best dressed male goes to my secret crush … The legendary Taylor Hanson!  He is so handsome and well dressed.  This MMMbop boy surely grew into one handsome man.

 

Taylor Hanson
Taylor Hanson

 

And now for the worst of the worst … drum roll please !

 

Ke$ha…

What is this chick thinking?  I think she is so talented and beautiful and yet she insists on looking like a hobo.

You would never believe this girl had hit songs almost every other month.  Apparently hippies have gone goth, which is not a good look!  I don’t know what the worst part of this look is … the hat … no the fringe vest … nope definitely the pants … This outfit is just all wrong!

Ke$ha
Ke$ha

 

This next one is really hard for me to do … I am absolutely head over heels with musician Macklemore.  I think his style and look are perfection, most of the time.  I love his swag and his ginger features!  But his outfit last night was really disappointing.  The royal blue did look cool but the cape was such a let down.  I would have rathered a big fur jacket and a onesie.

Don’t worry though I still love you!

 

Thrift Shop rapper Macklemore
Thrift Shop rapper Macklemore

 

There’s always one who has to be a statement maker, and expecting it to be Lady Gaga again, I was surprised to see a burnt cigarette butt hat on Pitch Perfect’s Hana Mae Lee.  Lee was one of my favorite characters in Pitch Perfect and her one liners were the most laughable moments in the movie.  My favorite line “I ate my twin in the womb.”  Befitting to her character’s, shall we say, uniqueness, Mae Lee rocks a interesting hat at the Movie Awards.

Hana Mae Lee
Hana Mae Lee

 

Last night’s MTV Movie Award fashion definitely had some note worthy looks.  But the overall trend for the awards had to be the pointy toe pump.  I have to say I was a little worried about this trend coming back but the new style of pointed toe pumps has a shorter point and is something I am actually excited to try out.

 

Kim Kardashian really was the first celebrity to rock this look when she stepped out in her neon green Loubitan’s.  Last night she showed off her baby bump in a sleek black dress and black satin pointed toe stiletto’s.

Kim Kardasian
Kim Kardasian

 

Carrie actress Chloe Moretz kept it casual in a denim romper by Louis Vuitton and stunning t-strap pointed toe pumps.  The shoes were the focal point in this outfit, beautiful!

 

Chloe Moretz
Chloe Moretz

 

Kim K in training younger sister Kylie Jenner looked fabulous in her nude pencil skirt and white crop top.  The nude pointed toe heels were to die for!  I am absolutely passionate about these pumps.  I must go buy a pair now!!

 

Kylie Jenner
Kylie Jenner

 

I have to say, I am totally into trying out this re imagined trend.  The only issue I have is after I take my shoes off at the end of the night they usually get thrown in a pile of my collection of shoes and then they get all smushed.  After they are flattened enough you can never get your toe in right and if someone steps on it, forget it, a little heel dent can ruin a pair of pointed toe heels.  Luckily in my never ending online shopping habit, I found the answer!  http://www.tiptopshoesaver.com/ sells all different tools to keep your hoes in new condition.  Their product, conveniently titled, The Tip Toe Shoe Saver, is a triangular piece that you insert into the toe area of a pointed toe shoe to keep the shape.  I ordered a pair and can’t wait to use them in my new heels.

 

So all in all, I think the fashion at the MTV Movie Awards last night was interesting, but slightly disappointing.  The one’s that got it right last night definitely brought in the Spring 2013 trends.  White was big and nudes, as well.  For accessories, I was happy to see the ankle stap and pointed toe heels were back and modern.

 

 

 

*Just on a side-note, I’d like to send my prayers out to the families involved in the tragic terrorist bombing at the 2013 Boston Marathon today.  This is a sad and frightening event and if there is anyway I can help I will and hope my fellow Americans will do the same.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: BREAKING NEWS, ENTERTAINMENT, FASHION, MOVIES, MUSIC, OPINION, STYLE, TELEVISION, U.S., uncategorized Tagged With: 2013, 2013 mtv movie awards, Album Review, black, boston, bridesmaids, celebrity, chloe moretz, christian loubiton, coral, dance moms, fashion, gay, hana mae lee, help, j woww, jamie foxx, jersey shore, jewelry, justin timberlake, ke$ha, kim kardashian, macklemore, melissa mccarthey, movie, mtv, mtv movie awards, music, nude, pitch perfect, pointed toe, pumps, rebel wilson, red carpet, rupauls drag race, selena gomez, snooki, spring, the boston marathon, the situation, white

Is Macklemore the new Eminem?

by Ryan Shea

Credit to Wweek.
Credit to Wweek.

I don’t think that title is really premature in saying what a lot of people are thinking.  Macklemore really can be the next Eminem if he plays his cards right.  The Seattle native continues to take 2013 by storm again last night with his performance of his new single “Can’t Hold Us” featuring Ray Dalton at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards.  Many said that was the highlight of the night and this is a  freaking movie award show (then again it’s MTV, so we are lucky it wasn’t a Best Teen Mom Shore Buckwild Show).

Macklemore was known by many a hip-hop tastemakers for a while now but no one really understood who this guy was until late 2012 whe a song about a thrift shop came into play.  Little do people know this guy, who turns 30 later this year, has been in the game for over a decade now, right around the time that Eminem broke through.

He released his first full fledged EP back in 2000 under the name “Professor Macklemore”.  He quickly dropped the professor aspect of things but substance abuse plagued his chances of really becoming the star that he is today.  These substances had him relapse on a number of occasions, most recently in 2011.  Yet during this time he released some truly amazing music, such as “The Unplanned Mixtape” and “The VS Redux” in 2009 with his constant companion and DJ Ryan Lewis.  That is some of his best work in my opinion, as you can tell what he was going through during that time.

Now with his album “The Heist” in full swing, “Thrift Shop” topping the charts for weeks and his subsequent song “Can’t Hold Us” climbing up the charts, we gotta wonder, is he the next big thing? The next Eminem? Let’s weigh this in and see.

Going beyond race, Eminem truly defines what an MC is and how, at least for my generation, he was our Kurt Cobain.  He was our Elvis Presley, he was our Michael Jackson.  He was a movement in itself for the simple fact that he went so far outside the boundary lines of what an artist is supposed to do and speak from his heart on what he was going on.  “The Marshall Mathers LP” and “The Slim Shady LP” are in my opinion two of the best hip-hop albums ever with the former being the best one to be released in the new millennium.  He has even impressed as a featured artist on other people’s tracks, most notably Drake’s “Forever”.  He truly understands his gift of gab and uses it to its best extent.

What i just wrote is something that Macklemore is getting the hang of.  “The Heist” is an amazing second album and is reminiscent of things that Eminem did.  They both have that juxtaposition of being able to do funny songs (Thrift Shop) and then serious ones that really make you think (Wings).  The stand out track here is “Same Love”, written in the support of same-sex marriage.  It’s truly an amazingly written song and something really out of left field when it comes to a straight dude and hip-hop head writing about a very controversial topic.  This can parlay to any of the controversial topics that Em wrote about, including anything from “Love The Way You Lie” about domestic violence and “Stan” about a deranged fan.  Regardless, they make you think, something other rappers can’t seem to make you do.

So what is the verdict overall with this? Macklemore could no doubt be the next Eminem in my book.  No doubt, even though he has been in the game for a minute, that he will be all over the Best New Artist categories at a ton of award shows and be on everyone’s forefront similarly to how Eminem is.  Could they do a duet one day? Only one can hope.  For me, he’s got it in him to go the long haul.  Best of luck to him in the future.

Filed Under: BREAKING NEWS, ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, OPINION Tagged With: 2013, buckwild, eminem, hip hop, jersey shore, macklemore, marshall mathers lp, mtv movie awards, ray dalton, ryan lewis, same sex marriage, seattle, slim shady lp, teen mom, thrift shop

Summer Dreams: Summer 2013 Fashion Trends

by Ryan Shea

Despite the bitter cold weather we’ve been experiencing in New York, Summer is right around the corner!  And with Summer weather comes a new Summer wardrobe.  I have started stocking up since November… And I thought I’d share the trends I think will be big this season.

My favorite item for Summer 2013 is High Waisted Denim Shorts!

High waist torn shorts
Torn Light Wash High Waist Denim Shorts

I am seriously obsessed with this look.  High waist jeans are flattering on almost every body type.  Every retail store is stocking up on these must have shorts so, no matter your budget, there are a pair just for you.  My most recent purchases have been from online sellers who customize the shorts the way you like; studs, lace, tears, etc…  I love the vintage feel of this style.

You can rock these with a basic white tee or vintage band tee or with a sleek button up.  Just about everything looks good with a pair of high waist shorts.  Flip flops for the beach, a pair of high tops for a rocker feel, or a towering pair of platform wedges.

Vintage Look

 

High Waist Shorts with a Floral Blouse
High Waist Shorts with a Floral Blouse

Speaking of floral…

Floral prints are a trend that never go out of style.  And floral will be everywhere this year.

Personally, I like my florals mixed with something a little structured or hard looking.  Think 90’s grunge but an updated version!  Adding denim to any floral print basically gives you a vintage grunge look.  A denim vest with a strapless floral summer dress or a denim shirt with floral shorts, maybe?

Floral blouse with Grunge feel
Pastel Floral Cut Out dress with Denim Shirt
Floral Outfit Idea

 

 

Now for the my color choices for this Summer (drum roll!) …

Mint and Coral!

My sister Theresa is actually the person to bring these wonderful colors into my wardrobe decisions.  I have always been someone who favored the furthest ends of the light spectrum (Black and White) … Summer was always a big white season for me.  I love the contrast of my tan skin against a gleaming white piece of clothing, but I have severely underestimated the subtle glow of a mint green and coral item.  Because of their neutral tones these colors can be part of almost any outfit or any article of clothing.

Mint Romper
Mint Romper
Mint Shorts with Taupe Top and Chic White Blazer
Mint Shorts with Taupe Top and Chic White Blazer
Coral Top with Mint Accent Purse
Coral Top with Mint Accent Purse

There are so many trends that are going to be popular this Summer and I wish I could list them all but instead I’ll just post some pics of some items I think should be in every girl’s wardrobe this Summer season!

Here are some idea’s I thought looked cute for this Summer;

Off the Shoulder
Off the Shoulder
Vintage Feel Floral High Low Dress
Vintage Feel Floral High Low Dress
Multi Tone Strapless Maxi Dress
Multi Tone Strapless Maxi Dress
High Low  Flag Dress
High Low Flag Dress
American Flag Leggings and Cut off denim Shirt
American Flag Leggings and Cut off denim Shirt
American Flag Shorts
High Waist Studded American Flag Shorts

 

Summer 2013
Summer 2013

 

Feel free to comment about anything you think I should have included and stay tuned for my Swim Wear article!

Filed Under: BREAKING NEWS, ENTERTAINMENT, FASHION, LIFESTYLE, NEW YORK, STYLE, U.S., WORLD Tagged With: 2013, american, american flag, clothes, coral, denim, denim shorts, dress, fashion, floral, grunge, high low, high waist, high waist shorts, jean shorts, maxi dress, mint, red white and blue, rock, romper, shorts, studds, summer, summer 2013, summer wardrobe, sun, tank top, tee shirt, trend, trending, tube top, usa, wardrobe, white

DJ DIRTY SOUTH ALBUM RELEASE; Art Design Contest

by Ryan Shea

Dirty South Contest
Dirty South Contest
Dirty South Design Contest

 

Talenthouse recording artist Dirty South just announced he will be releasing his first full-length studio album, Speed of Life.  This Serbian-Australian DJ/Producer has been on the house music circuit for a few years now and has racked up plenty of positive recognition and attention.  In 2008, he was nominated for a Grammy, in the Best Remixed Recording category for his  recording of, fellow Tech-House DJ, Kaskade’s Sorry, and then again, in the same category in 2011 for his collaboration with Axwell for the Temper Trap’s Sweet Disposition.

Since his recording career began, Dirty South has been racking up merits from a number of respected house music sources.  He is well known in the acclaimed InTheMix 50 DJ Poll’s, voted “Most Popular Producer Nationally” in 2007 as well as ranking 2nd in the 2007 InTheMix 50 DJ Poll.  Let’s not forget that in the DJ Mag Top 100 DJ poll every year since 2007.

 

So now that you know a little bit about this insanely talented DJ/Producer (just in case you) let me get to my point…In honor of his album release Dirty South is inviting artists to compete to design artwork for a limited edition tee-shirt that will be sold through his online store.  Having a design on an internationally sold clothing item is a great accomplishment for even the most seasoned artists, but even if you are just an aspiring artist or just have a talent for design and art this could be your open doorway!  Not only will the winner’s design be printed and sold, they will also receive a trip to VEGAS, a two night stay at The Wynn Las Vegas & Encore Resort, and a meet and greet with Dirty South himself.

To enter view Talenthouse‘s website at:

www.talenthouse.com/design-for-dirty-south

Winners will be announced March 5th and the deadline to submit is Tuesday February 26th!

I’m very honored to be the one to let you all know about this exciting opportunity and, as an art lover myself, look forward to voting and seeing the winning design!  And don’t forget the winner will be announced the same day as Dirty South’s album release!!

Filed Under: ARTS, BREAKING NEWS, ENTERTAINMENT, LIFESTYLE, MUSIC, NEW YORK, U.S., uncategorized Tagged With: 2013, album release, art, art contest, Australia, best dj, contest, design, design contest, dirty south, dj mag, fashion, free trip, grammy nominee, house music, international, kaskade, las vegas, phazing, recording, recording artist, talenthouse, techno, tee shirt, the wynn las vegas, thomas gold, tiesto, vegas, winner

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