Varúð by Ryan McGinley: The Valtari Mystery Film Experiment No. 6

The Valtari Mystery Film Experiment is still going strong as it's sixth video offering has just been released last July 30, 2012. Varúð is the third track of the Valtari album and its an almost 7-minute auditory delight that features the high pitched falsetto vocals of Jónsi Birgisson.

The music video for Varúð was directed by Ryan Mcginley. It features the expanse of New York scene through the perspective of a golden haired female character strolling around the city. The slow mo effect of the video reflects the gut-wrenching theme of the song. Come join the golden haired girl's journey in this another mind-boggling and weird video from The Valtari Mystery Film Experiment.

Here is Film # 6 for The Valtari Mystery Film Experiment -- Varúð by Ryan Mcginley:

Ryan McGinley has the following as comment on making the music video for Varúð:

"This piece is my poem to new york city. I wanted to bring a childhood innocence to the streets, through a character whose own light and wonder effects the world around her. I'm always interested in an atmosphere where dreams and reality mingle on equal terms."

Sigur Ros' official website has also released a biography of the music video's director:

Ryan McGinley

Ryan McGinley lives and works in new york.

New Jersey native Ryan McGinley began documenting his friends and lower east side subculture in new york city when he was a teenager. The fine art community took notice of his work when he printed a fifty-page, inkjet book entitled The Kids are Alright in 1999. His large-format color photographs soon graced the walls of the Whitney Museum of American Art, where he was the youngest person ever, at the age of 25, to be given a solo exhibition.

McGinley’s work has since appeared in prestigious publications such as the New York Times Magazine, allowing him to broaden his subject-matter to include Olympic athletes, artists and other visionaries in their familiar settings. A subsequent exhibition at P.S.1/Moma established him as one of America’s preeminent young photographers. His newest photographs, shot mainly in natural settings and focused on subjects interacting spontaneously, is a testament to his ever-evolving aesthetic and maturity as an artist.

ryanmcginley.com

Head over so you can watch the rest of the videos for The Valtari Mystery Film Experiment.

The Last Guardian is the Ultimate Artemis Fowl Book by Eoin Colfer

I always thought Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox is the very last book in Eoin (pronounced as Owen) Colfer's Artemis Fowl series. If I try to recall, I can't seem to remember where I got this idea, because I always thought the author is always promising his avid readers that this and that will be the last book until another one comes out again out of nowhere.

But now, after so many false alarms, the ultimate book about the beloved child prodigy and master mind criminal is at hand. This is really it! Last July 10, 2012 the eighth and last book has been published and was titled as Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian. Honestly I haven't read Atlantis Complex yet, because I am planning to buy the last two books together in paperback. We may be excited and rejoicing about this, but our dear Eoin Colfer is a little sad about it.

Here is what he has to say when he was asked by Blue Peter (BBC) of the following: "Eoin, you’re wrapping the Artemis Fowl series up in your latest book. How did you feel saying goodbye to the characters you created over ten years ago?"

"I was relieved to finally type ‘the end’ after 14 years of work, but now that I am out in the world talking about it, I am beginning to feel a little sad. I have had people actually crying with real tears. I don’t want to make kids cry, apart from my own obviously - just kidding. I don’t want to make any kids sad. But it is better that they are sad now than bored in a couple of years." ~ Eoin Colfer

It is always a sad affair when a beloved series come to an end. Artemis Fowl may not be like Harry Potter in scale, but it is still one of my most favorite fantasy series. It has become part of my growing up years that took up also almost 14 years of my readership. So, as a tribute here are the complete list of Artemis Fowl books in the series:

Artemis Fowl (April 2001)
This is the book that introduced Artemis Fowl to the world. This story revolves around Artemis Fowl's plot to kidnap a Fairy officer unknowingly known as Holly Short, one of the fairy elf and other mythical creatures who moved underground to hide from humans, in order to demand a ransom of one ton of twenty-four carat gold for her safety and the keeping of their secret existence.

Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident (May 2002)
Artemis Fowl always believed that his father, Artemis Fowl Sr., is still alive. That is why when he somehow got a clue of his whereabouts he devised a plan to rescue his father from the Russian Mafia. But his plans may be hampered by the goblin rebellion led by a troubled pixie Opal Koboi and elf Briar Cudgeon.

Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code (April 2003)
Everything is in topsy-turvy when Jon Spiro stole the fictional C Cube, otherwise known as the Eternity Cube, and when Butler is shot in the chest. Holy tried to help Butler by healing him, but the process became awry, that eventually forced the Lower Elements Police to wipe out Butler's and Artemis's non-human memories.

Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception (April 2005)
Opal Koboi is back and she has more plans of world dominion. She devised a plan that would reveal the existence of mythical creatures hiding in the Underground, unless Holly and Artemis Fowl could stop her (again, for the second time). Koboi kills her once nemesis Commander Julius Root that leaves the Lower Elements Police into tatters.

Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony (August 2006)
There are still many worlds and a few knows about them. One is trying to open a portal from the demon world, known as Limbo, to unleash hell into the Earth. Here Artemis Fowl must collaborate with another child prodigy named Minerva to predict where the next demonic apparitions will occur, forcing Artemis to travel through time and space.

Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox (August 2008)
Artemis Fowl must find the silky sifaka lemur, the only creature whose brain fluids could serve as a cure to his mother's illness known as Spelltropy. But Artemis knows he killed the last and living animal when he was ten. So he must travel back in time and battle out with his greatest opponent yet: his younger self. Will he be able to triumph against himself?

Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex (July 2010)
Artemis Fowl contracts a psychological disease called Atlantis Complex. He experiences a combination of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, extreme paranoia and Multiple Personality Disorder. He did many things without his 'true' self's consent,when he was lead by one of his alter egos. He must save himself to save the fairy world threatened by an impending doom.

Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian (July 2012)
Opal Koboi opens The Berserker's Gate, a portal located on the Fowl estate, behind which dwell the spirits of Fairy soldiers who were killed in a war long ago. The spirits rise and possess the bodies of Artemis' family and friends. Artemis and Holly return the spirits to the portal before they rampage across the world, but the spirits kill Artemis. Foaly clones Artemis, and Artemis's soul inhabits the clone. The clone comes to life, and Holly explains how she met the original Artemis, starting the opening line of the first book in the series.

Peter Jackson Confirms The Hobbit Trilogy, Duology No More

The rumors of late have been construed: Peter Jackson is making not one, not two, but three The Hobbit movies. The once thought duology cease to exist anymore as Jackson confirmed on his Facebook page through a note that indeed the team is making another movie to tie-in the story in a trilogy.

It is already known that The Hobbit will begin with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on December 14, 2012, to be followed up by The Hobbit: There and Back Again on December 13 of the following year and we may expect the third yet-to-be-titled film in the trilogy to hit theaters Summer 2014.

Here is Peter Jackson's statement from his Facebook page:

It is only at the end of a shoot that you finally get the chance to sit down and have a look at the film you have made. Recently Fran, Phil and I did just this when we watched for the first time an early cut of the first movie – and a large chunk of the second. We were really pleased with the way the story was coming together, in particular, the strength of the characters and the cast who have brought them to life. All of which gave rise to a simple question: do we take this chance to tell more of the tale? And the answer from our perspective as the filmmakers, and as fans, was an unreserved 'yes.'

We know how much of the story of Bilbo Baggins, the Wizard Gandalf, the Dwarves of Erebor, the rise of the Necromancer, and the Battle of Dol Guldur will remain untold if we do not take this chance. The richness of the story of The Hobbit, as well as some of the related material in the appendices of The Lord of the Rings, allows us to tell the full story of the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and the part he played in the sometimes dangerous, but at all times exciting, history of Middle-earth.

So, without further ado and on behalf of New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Wingnut Films, and the entire cast and crew of The Hobbit films, I'd like to announce that two films will become three.

It has been an unexpected journey indeed, and in the words of Professor Tolkien himself, "a tale that grew in the telling."

Cheers,

Peter J

And if you haven't seen the trailer of the first movie in the trilogy, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, you can watch it here:

Surprisingly I am not sure of what my reaction should be. I kind of like the idea of a third Hobbit movie, but the phrase "money cow" always pops into my mind. Only one thing could make straight of this indecision and that is if I finally witness the first movie so that I could judge the artistic reasoning behind this move. Because in the end I don't really care if the team behind this movie is doing this for more money as long as the output is satisfying and really worth watching.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Posters and Trailer

Updated: Sweetie gets a character poster.

Dog Days is not even the third book in Jeff Kinney's New York Times best selling series, but the team behind the movies found it logical to make it as the third movie. In fact it was supposed to be the fourth one, but due to the shortness of the content material I think I agree with movie producers.

The cast are not getting any younger and the movie making process should be sped up, even the artistic side of it. The movie is a combination of the plot of The Last Straw and Dog Days and was adapted based on the screenplay of Wallace Wolodarsky, who also helped write the first movie. David Bowers returns to the directorial seat after he replaced Thor Freudenthal in Rodrick Rules movie.

Immerse your self with these face palm character posters for Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days:

Updated: Sweetie (or Sweaty according to Rodrick) gets a character poster:

And in case you haven't seen it yet, here is the trailer of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days is scheduled for release a few days from now: August 3, 2012. It will have a running time of around 94 minutes, which is longer than the first movie's 92 minutes and shorter that Rodrick Rules' 100 minutes. Zachary Gordon will be back as the titular character Greg Heffley, together with his buddy Rowley, played by Robert Capron. Devon Bostick is back to play the once annoying Rodrick, along with many other actors who play Greg's family and friends.

Ang Lee's Life of Pi Gets an Official Movie Trailer and International Poster

Academy Award winning director Ang Lee is back with yet another Oscar's worthy movie -- Life of Pi. This movie adaptation of the famous book of the same title written by Yann Martel is currently on production, but that doesn't stop the team from releasing a juicy trailer sprinkled with a lot  tragedy, story of survival, improbable friendship and harmony.

It features the scene that was once released in the movie's official website together with the tear-jerker score that I can't help but repeatedly listen to. The trailer also gives us glimpses of how the concept arts -- that were also previously released in the website -- were interpreted to become amazing, awe-inspiring and almost real life scenes. As of the moment, there are no dialogues included that might suggest direct quotes from the book it was based upon.

Here is the very first trailer for Ang Lee's Life of Pi:

Updated: Here is the international trailer for Life of Pi, directed by Ang Lee:

Updated: Also, here's an international poster for Life of Pi:

This 20th Century Fox produced movie will be released on November 21, 2012 -- one month ahead than its original schedule that was supposed to be December 14, 2012. This is certainly one of the movie adaptation that I am going to see: superb original material and a director that knows how to make emotionally and visually satisfying movies. This Life of Pi trailer has certainly sold me out.

The Hobbit Production Video #8 Released by Peter Jackson

The principal photography has officially wrapped up for The Hobbit movies. And so while Peter Jackson and his team were busy at the Comic-Con, he still managed to give us The Hobbit Production Video #8, Last Days, 23 July 2012. Unfortunately for us guys this is the last and ultimate production video we are going to have. So try to savor every second of it and don't miss any detail. But I was glad Peter hinted that there will future video blogs... in post production!

This video tackles what The Hobbit team has prepared and seen during Comic-Con held in San Diego. And as for introduction here is what Peter Jackson has to say, "I know that not everybody gets to Comic Con, so I thought I'd bring a little bit of Comic Con to you! Here's some of what I saw in San Diego, and what those in Hall H got to see of The Hobbit."

Proceed and enjoy this more than 14 minutes of The Hobbit production video:



Honestly I got a little emotional here, aside from the fact that I am experiencing some dreadful moment in my life. But the delight brought about by this video made me smile and tear-up at the same time. It's just sad to hear the cast saying their farewell until their next return -- maybe for re-shoots. On the other hand, this is certainly the richest video so far, revealing a lot of intricate details of the sets and enthusiasm and energy of the actors, who brings to life our beloved characters.

Hop in if you are interested to watch the 7 previous videos in the series. Personally, I cannot wait for the movie any longer. Peter Jackson certainly knows what he's doing, teasing and satisfying us all at the same time. Hopefully the hype of these videos are a premonition of the actual movie we are going to see this December. Good luck to us and all the people behind The Hobbit.

The Script Releases Hall of Fame Single Featuring will.i.am

Updated: Head over to read my thoughts regarding The Script's #3 album.

There was an early Christmas celebration last June 2, 2012 -- right after The Voice Finale -- when The Script announced the details of their third and upcoming album called #3. It was further revealed that the said album is available for pre-order on Amazon UK until its release on September 10, 2012.

During these times also the members of the said band teased millions of fans by saying that a single from the album would be released sometime in July. Before hand, they were busy recording in the studio and shooting the final cover art of the album. Marketing for the upcoming release of the album is surely on the surge. Take a breath first before you continue...

Here is the official Hall of Fame music video by The Script featuring will.i.am:


And here's Danny having a good time in BBC Radio 1 studio, together with Greg James, as he promoted his newly released single:

Updated: And here is the official cover art of The Script's Hall of Fame single:

Participate in The Script's 3FingersUp campaign by taking a picture of yourself raising your three fingers and then upload it on twitter with the hashtag #3FingersUp. Do come back on this page to get an update on the official full version of the song together with its music video shot in Los Angeles. Here's another treat courtesy of The Sun: the band featuring will.i.am.

As we all know Danny O'Donoghue, The Script's front liner, and will.i.am met at the set of The Voice UK. Both of them are judges for the said show. Since then they have worked together -- sometimes bickering, sometimes in league with each other -- until they have made this amazing collaborative single that is to be featrued on The Script's upcoming album #3.

Here is the announcement made by the band to tease fans around the world of the said single from their third album called #3. The announcement was made when the band was on the airport on their way to Los Angeles to shoot the video of the said single. As revealed, the song will be about following your heart and your dreams. Check it out:

And here are some pictures obtained from the bands official Facebook page:

"What a sound. If only you could hear it????
I'm playing our brand new song. Listen carefully!! Lol"

After hearing this breathtaking and faint inducing specimen of a music from The Script #3 album, my system has already decided that this is a must have. Hopefully someone will be generous enough to give me this album as a birthday present. I am not really asking for luxurious items -- this album will be just enough for me. This just ignited in me to put more effort on reaching my heart's desires as well as my dreams.

Videos: Someone's Got a Lot of Time on Their Hands

The irony is that time seems too long if you wanted something to end already, but when you try to cherish a moment and don't want it to end time passes by like a breeze. What a kill joy! I always envy people who has a lot of time to waste and not worrying despite all that. I wanted to do a lot of things, but I seem to have a short supply of time in order to finish them.

Some of our folks over the internet seem to have a lot of time on their hands. They could make up things that will require much of their time and in the end produce something enjoyable and unique. I am not saying they have nothing important to do, but is their normal day composed of more than 24 hours? How can they cram things into their schedule? Read on to know what I mean.

Check out these videos that took painstaking effort and a lot of time to do:

Barack Obama Singing Call Me Maybe

Countdown Comparison Music Video

Lego Somebody  That I Used To Know

Wall Painted Animations

The Lion King Rises Mash-Up

Oscars 2011 Musical Mash-Up and Auto Tune

You Belong With Me Parody

Time could be a curse or a gift depending how you utilize it. For some of these people they use it as a gift, spending their time for their passion or hobbies and eventually please other people with their laborious work. Others might mock them for having nothing important to do in their lives, but for them they are important. Why would would they waste their time if they aren't so? It's just a little shift of perspective.

Kernel's Library: The Making of a New Dragon Rider

Book 00026: Eragon by Christopher Paolini

---

Title:
- Eragon

First Publication:
- 26 August 2003 by Alfred A. Knopf

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Trivia:
- The novel was adapted to a movie and was released on December 15, 2006, a film produced by 20th Century Fox
- The author was then fifteen years old when he wrote the book

Awards:
- New York Times Best Seller List for 121 (nonconsecutive) weeks
- 2006 Nene award
- Arizona Young Reader's Award-Nominee, 2006
- Beehive Young Adults' Book Award (Utah), 2005
- Bluegrass Award-Nominee, 2005
- Book Sense Book of the Year, 2004
- Buckeye Children's Book Award-Nominee, 2007
- Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award, 2005
- Colorado Children's Book Award, 2005
- Evergreen Young Adult Book Award, 2006
- Golden Archer Award (Wisconsin), 2006
- Pacific Northwest Young Reader's Award-Nominee, 2006
- Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award, 2005
- Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award(Illinois), 2006
- SCASL Book Award (South Carolina), 2006
- Sequoyah Book Award (Oklahoma), 2006
- Volunteer State Book Award, 2006
- Young Reader's Choice Award, 2006

---

A friend of mine allowed me to borrow her copy of Eragon. Her aunt bought her a copy during its first release, but it was not yet available here in the Philippines. So I eagerly borrowed her copy. I have to admit that, at first, I didn't quite like the book. I can't read it without feeling bored at times. And lo, I haven't finished reading it then.

A few years after that I decided to read the book again. I bought a copy in paperback and once again tried to read it. This time, older as I was, I found the then boring parts exciting. I couldn't fathom why I didn't like it before as it was an exciting read after all. Maybe I guess my age affected my judgement of a book. So I made a pact that day that I should schedule the books, as well as authors, on when exactly I'm going to read them.



One boy... One dragon... A world of adventure.

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.

Over night his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king who's evil knows no bounds.

Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands...

How I regretted that I never read it fully then. I was fascinated by the story and I thought it was certainly a classic in-the-making. And just a few months later after I knew of the book, I just couldn't help but be excited as the novel would be adapted to a movie.

Grade: A-

Of Finding A Happier Tune in the Songs of Once Life

I am in search for happier tunes. The ones that resonate for a lifetime and are not only sung for the moment. But try my lips to sing one, only the low and long notes of anguish come. So with all the might one could muster, I urged my self only to resolve not to utter any song anymore. And as Bill the Krill from Happy Feet 2 announced, "I lost my Will."

Change has taken over me, but I am not quite sure if it's for the better or for the worse. All I know is I am not someone I used to know. So different from the past that I had been contented with. I miss it, I miss it a lot: those smiles that came out from nowhere, the glint in my eyes that told me I was where I wanted to be, and the sure confidence in my self that gave me peace. All gone.

I wanted to go back to that olden times. But the broken steps of the past could not help me find my way back. I am scared to go back and even to move forward to that uncertain future. I am a fully capable beast that has become a cripple. I am crippled by my own desires, dreams and concerns. There is nothing left anymore for me, but to stay put and be exactly where I am today. Not a step forward, not a slide to advance, not even turning around.

A fool I was to think that I could find it and almost have it. Happiness is an elusive creature, after all. It will not always present itself to all, but maybe to those only who deserve it. Maybe I have been a bad person once, for selfishly wanting to have the things that I thought would make me happy. That is maybe why no matter how I try I will always fail. I can't find it should I look near or far. In the darkness, that failure multiplies. In broad daylight, it's a facade of a lusterless smile. It's so unfair.

My purpose in life, I always thought, is to help others find their own happiness. For a time I was really convinced of it. I was satisfied, but I guess satisfaction is not really enough if you look at it. Time will come and make you realize that you really have to find your own and not only live in the sidelines of someone else's spotlight. Someone with a significant purpose. Someone told me to wait and see, but the waiting is already getting tiresome and exhausting, leaving my soul and being impoverished.

I think I am giving up, after too long of holding it still. There is no use to all these, knowing these wasting of time are all in vain. It shames me, but I have to cry and let tears flow down my face, asking the question, "When will my own time come?" Honestly, I have lost all the will and the patience to push me through. I am so tired already of keeping up with the demands of this pursuit. I feel like I have already given my all, but I guess my all is not enough. What possible difference can one person make?

Where is the hope that I once used to share with everyone? Because I can't find it for my self.

Tons of Character Posters for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2

Updated: New character posters for Bella, Edward and Jacob, and Renesmee. Just scroll down at the bottom.

Despite the divided attentions of moviegoers due to Comic-Con 2012, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2 is making a noise of its own, and it's big -- really big. Lots of character posters were released in just one spur of the moment.  And we are not only talking here of five, ten or fifteen, but a whooping 23 new character posters at that.

They mostly feature new characters from different covens. Each sporting red eye contacts, for those who are slurping human blood, or golden eye contacts for the 'vegetarian' types, especially the Cullen family. These covens will help The Cullens in facing the deadly Volturi gang. I am really looking forward on how the war will turn out, but for now I just wanna contend my self with these lovely posters.

Bare and sink in your fangs for the character posters of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2:

Updated: New character posters for Bella, Edward and Jacob:

Updated: New character poster for Renesmee. Just scroll down at the bottom.

Which of these character posters do you like best? Personally I like Ashley Green's Alice poster, her eyes simply draw you in. Don't forget, the movie will premiere on November 16, 2012. Let's us see if the team behind this movie really lived up to their promise of artistic intentions why they split the movie adaptation into two.