Story Behind National Anthem

The story behind the national anthem - a very powerful story. LINK: Youtube

A Meet and Greet with Helen Keller

Minnesotastan read the entire first volume of The Autobiography of Mark Twain and posted a review. The short version is that he’s not putting it on his recommended book list. However, he reprinted a story from the book in which Twain meets the then 14-year-old Helen Keller. He labeled the story with the tag “impressive.” Link, Via: Neatorama

Charity Tillemann-Dick: After a lung transplant, an aria

You'll never sing again, said her doctor. But in a story from the very edge of medical possibility, operatic soprano Charity Tillemann-Dick tells a double story of survival -- of her body, from a double lung transplant -- and of her spirit, fueled by an unwavering will to sing. A powerful story from TEDMED 2011. LINK: Youtube

DARK SIDE OF THE LENS

A very intriguing short story. Well worth a watch and well put together. LINK: Vimeo

Oz: Robert Downey Jr. Out, Johnny Depp In?

Robert Downey Jr. is backing away from yet another project in 2011. First, he decided not to play opposite Sandra Bullock in Gravity, and now he's backing out of Disney's Oz, the Great and Powerful.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney is now in talks with Johnny Depp to take over the great and powerful wizard in the Sam Raimi directed story of the man who would become the infamous Wizard of Oz.

Depp has starred in many Disney movies, including all the Pirates of the Caribbean, and Alice in Wonderland.

Depp is already signed on to star in Dark Shadows, directed by Tim Burton, and Disney's The Lone Ranger.

According to the report, this film will take precedence over The Lone Ranger since it is further along in the development process. LINK

Interpol - Lights directed by Mr. Charlie White

"QUOTE" Disturbingly decadent video for Interpol’s new single, Lights. I’ve always admired this band for its original sound and sense of style, and their willingness to push boundaries translates well to this music video, directed by artist and photographer, Charlie White. Though somewhat abstract, the visuals of Lights are quite arresting and do engage you. It’s nice sometimes to leave the audience with questions and perhaps allow them to create their own story. LINK, Via: Youtube

Dancing Pigeons

Dancing Pigeons - Ritalin from Blink on Vimeo.

Hillbillies, slow-motion and 30-foot-long flames are forever intertwined in this new Dancing Pigeons video for “Ritalin”. Directed by Tomas Mankovsky, this time-expanding tribute to overalls and brown teeth delivers a humorous story with plenty of backwoods angst and despair. LINK, Via: Vimeo

Octokiss

An aquarium director kisses an octopus goodbye before setting it free in the ocean to mate before dying. Larger version of photo here, along with the beautiful story behind it. (Image: Kitsap Sun / Thanks, Steve Silberman!), Via: Boingboing

Jasper Morello Music Video (aka Industrial Steampunk Animation 2.0)

The Tragedy of Jasper Morello - Interpol

Music: Interpol - Pioneer to the Falls

"QOUTE" The editing isn't flashy but is meant to show the basics of story in a few minutes whilst showcasing the artwork. The song used is designed to focus on the three downfalls of the characters. LINK: Youtube


Love the song in this video.

Signs

Sometimes all you need is a sign. This short film by Australian Director Patrick Hughes has no dialogue at all but tells a story by which you cannot fail to be moved. A young man (Jason, we learn) is in a new job in the big city and is very lonely. That is until one day when... well, you will have to watch this unusual and touching romantic comedy for yourself. It's only eleven minutes long. Sit back and get your hankies out. LINK, Via: Youtube

Larry the Cable Guy's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Larry the Cable Guy does a PC version of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. LINK: Youtube

Christmas Presents: The Reignfather

Happy Holidays! LINK: Youtube

Mad TV - Raging Rudolph

Here's a clip from the first season of Mad TV, re-inventing the classic story of Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer. Merry Christmas! LINK: Youtube

Some strong language but pretty much bleeped out.

MIA - Paper Planes ("Slumdog Millionaire" Movie Music Video)

Directors: Danny Boyle
Loveleen Tandan (co-director: India)
Writers: Simon Beaufoy (screenplay) and Vikas Swarup (novel)
Release Date: 5 December 2008 (Italy)
Synopsis:
Slumdog Millionaire is the story of Jamal Malik (Patel), an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India¹s "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" LINK: Youtube

Fantaisie in Bubblewrap

(YouTube link)

The bubbles are doomed when people get hold of bubble wrap! An award-winning horror story by Arthur Metcalf. NSFW language. -Via: Everlasting Blort, Via: Neatorama

The final minutes of a society of vocal bubblewrap as it faces its apocalypse.

'Bubblewrap' was completed August 2007 and has since made the festival rounds picking up some awards on its way. It is Arthur Metcalf's debut film.

John Henry Faulk’s Christmas Story

John Henry Faulk told this Christmas story on NPR in 1974. They published it on the web in 2005. It’s still a wonderful story.

The day after Christmas a number of years ago, I was driving down a country road in Texas. And it was a bitter cold, cold morning. And walking ahead of me on the gravel road was a little bare-footed boy with non-descript ragged overalls and a makeshift sleeved sweater tied around his little ears. I stopped and picked him up. Looked like he was about 12 years old and his little feet were blue with the cold. He was carrying an orange.

Read the rest at NPR. Link, Via: Neatorama

Johnny Cash - I Am The Nation

Johnny Cash's America was not red, white, or blue, but black. And that blackness contained multitudes. While society has become increasingly divided. Cash navigated some of the most contentious issue of our time - war, prison, reform, youth discontent, religion, Native American rights - without losing his audience. Americans who can agree on little else have agreed on Johnny Cash. What lessons can be learned from his story?
LINK: Youtube

The Story Behind 'Take Me Out To The Ball Game'

In America, baseball is called the national pastime. Organized baseball was well into its glory years before other sports such as football, basketball, hockey and soccer were drawing much of an audience. It is only natural that one of America's most popular sing-along songs relates to the sport.

'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' is a simple tune that tells of a girl who wants her beau to take her to a baseball game instead of to another popular spot. The song turns 100 years old this year, and the United States Postal Service has commemorated the event with a beautiful new stamp. LINK: Presurfer

High Noon

They're back and still sticky - this time with a western flavour

A nonsensical little story done in a clever style using popsicle sticks, from the Brothers McLeod. See more at their website. Link, Via: Neatorama, Via: Youtube