December 23, 2013 – Ruby Hornet

[Video] Pharrell Interviews Leonard Nimoy for ARTST TLK

Pharrell Williams returns for another episode of his interview series ARTST TLK featuring actor, director, poet and photographer Leonard Nimoy. The two sit down and talk about a variety of topics such has how the character Spock was created, how the character evolved, and the trouble Nimoy had taking on the role. We also learn the background story of the now iconic Vulcan salute. Another topic that was brought up was Nimoy's love for photography, and the interview shined light on some of the great photography projects he's created. Looking at Pharrell's body of work, it's apparent that he has been inspired by Nimoy, and by watching the interview you get some insight into how much he's gone through in his career.

[Via Reserve Channel]

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by Bobby Reys

The Raid 2 raiding theaters on March 28

The Raid 2 will be making its premiere next month during Sundance, and it's safe to say that it's the one film I'm looking forward to the most during the film festival. However, festival premieres are typically met with a months-long wait until general audiences can see the film themselves, usually due to final editing/production or the search for a proper distributor. The Raid 2, however, won't have to go through either of these as a firm release date has been announced.

Our return to the wonderful world of pencak silat will take place on March 28, 2014, with waves of releases across the country to follow. The Raid: Redemption is one of my favorite action films in recent memory, and with the first teaser trailer hitting on all the right notes (figuratively and literally), I have high hopes for The Raid 2: Berandal.

[via Collider]

by Geoff Henao

[Video] The DIY Leica Camera Assembly Kit That Never Was

For Leica's 100th anniversary, designer Marcelo Ribeiro under F/Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi was to create a DIY Leica camera as a gift to Brazilian store customers who had purchased any M camera during the year. This kit is truly DIY giving the lucky owner a taste of what it is like to make a real Leica camera. It would come with an acrylic sheet where you could just punch out pieces and combine it to the body one piece at a time. The kit never made it into production because the costs were too high, but it was a pretty cool idea, and it was unfortunate that Leica couldn't pull it off. Check out the video about the DIY Leica camera that never became a reality.

[Via Leica Rumors]

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by Bobby Reys

[Trailer] Transcendence

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Technology is getting to a point where what was once thought impossible isn't that far off from becoming real. As the ever-growing threat of Skynet or a technological takeover by artificial beings increases with every advancement, we can't help but at least acknowledge how cool the future is going to be.

Wally Pfister, Christopher Nolan's long-time cinematographer, is taking a stab at directing with the upcoming Transcendence. Starring Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, and Paul Bettany, the film takes place in a world where Dr. Will Caster (Depp) is a primary researcher of artificial intelligence with plans of creating a sentient machine that holds all of the world's knowledge and the ability to have human emotions. While the prospect is exciting, it draws a lot of ire from anti-artificial/technology groups. When Caster is gravely-injured, his wife Evelyn (Hall) and partner/best friend Max (Bettany) are faced with the option transfer Caster's thoughts into a machine to "save his life." However, not all goes well when Caster's thirst for knowledge and power grows to an almost supervillain-like obsession.

Transcendence will be in theaters on April 17, 2014.

by Geoff Henao

[Video] The Wipebook Could Be The Last Notebook You Ever Buy

The Wipebook could be the last notebook you ever buy, literally. Most of us have used a notebook at least once in our lifetimes, whether for work, school, or personal use in our daily lives. Well, the Wipebook combines the portability of a notebook with the ease of writing and erasing of a whiteboard. There's no more wasting paper with the Wipebook because whatever you've written on a page can simply be erased. The smooth surface helps you write easily and smoothly without getting that ghost effect you usually get with standard whiteboards. Also, it is easy to erase your notes and sketches without having to worry about it smudging when you close it. The Wipebook sounds like an interesting alternative to the standard notebooks that we have become accustomed to over the years. Being that it's reusable, it could very well be the last notebook you ever buy, so head on over to their Kickstarter for more information about the Wipebook.

[Via Wipebook]

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by Bobby Reys

[Weekend Box Office] The Hobbit stays strong against Anchorman 2

Despite a stream of new releases this weekend, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug had a strong box office showing, staying in the top spot with $31.4m. This weekend's best new release was Anchorman 2 with a solid $26.7m take. Frozen rounds out the Top 3 with $19m. Newcomers American Hustle and Saving Mr. Banks sat in 4th and 5th place, respectively. The children-friendly Walking with Dinosaurs opened in 8th with $7.3m.

You can read the full weekend box office numbers below.

1. The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug - $31,455,000

2. Anchorman 2 - $26,776,000

3. Frozen - $19,163,000

4. American Hustle - $19,100,000

5. Saving Mr. Banks - $9,321,000

6. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - $8,750,000

7. Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas - $8,510,000

8. Walking With Dinosaurs - $7,300,000

9. Dhoom 3 - $3,305,000

10. Thor: The Dark World - $1,328,000

by Geoff Henao

The Weekly Swarm: 12/16 - 12/22

Christmas time is here! I'm actually not very into Christmas anymore, but it does feel good knowing that an amazing 2013 is coming to a close. Enjoy your times with friends and family this week, because next week is going to get crazy. While you're at it, wish our Jake Krzeczowski a Happy 24th Birthday today, okay? While you're at it, don't forget that we're looking for some extra writers to take 2014 by storm.

Now then, last week was fun-filled with a full week of content. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is attached to the Sandman film adaptation, Paul Rudd is joining the Marvel Studios family, WB wants Joaquin Phoenix for Batman vs. Superman, Shia LaBeouf "pulled a Shia," Lili K and the O'My's dropped their cover of "Baby, It's Cold Outside," Pharrell signed to Columbia, young Chano performed on Arsenio Hall and got interviewed by Nardwuar, we dropped our Top Chicago Rappers of 2013 list, two ambitious guys built a drivable Lego car, LG unveiled a 105" TV, and much more! Check everything out below.