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Articles by Tom Eden

Clooney and the Grudge
Oscar Moment: Sandra Bullock’s acceptance speech (video)
by Tom Eden, 03.08.10 | Comments (1)
Oscar Moment: Sandra Bullock’s acceptance speech (video)

There must have been a few surprises last night when Avatar was snubbed for the big Oscar wins such as best picture and best director. It was even more amazing given that The Hurt Locker deals with Iraq ...

Illusion!
Making the HBO logo, television intro before Adobe After Effects
by Tom Eden, 02.09.10 | Comment
Making the HBO logo, television intro before Adobe After Effects

Wonder how special effects were made before cgi? This video, “A Closer Look: Inside HBO’s City” from the 1980s, documents how the company re-branded itself so people could experience “turning on an entertainment center.” It’s actually quite interesting. ...

Media Partnership
YouTube partners with Sundance Film Festival, pilots rental program
by Tom Eden, 01.21.10 | Comment
YouTube partners with Sundance Film Festival, pilots rental program

Here’s a news item that may please both independent film buffs and technology fans alike. YouTube, which Google has been actively updating this week (new interface, HTML5 support) today announced a new partnership with the Sundance Film Festival. ...

Late Night Shuffle - Again
The difference between Brett Favre and Jay Leno
by Tom Eden, 01.12.10 | Comment
The difference between Brett Favre and Jay Leno

It’s an obvious question: what’s the difference between Brett Favre and Jay Leno? There are a multitude of punchlines, none of which I’m good at creating. How about: Favre can still throw a touchdown. I know, doesn’t make sense. Or: ...

I'm Just Sayin'
Snap! Words that should be banned, OMG!
by Tom Eden, 01.07.10 | Comment
Snap! Words that should be banned, OMG!

Snap! OMG! FAIL. Epic. Goodness.

Actually “snap!” is not so bad, but there are many words creeping into our daily lexicon that make me cringe. Not so much “goodness.” It’s always interesting to watch writing, journalism evolve. And now ...

How High Can You Go?
World’s tallest building is now in Dubai
by Tom Eden, 01.04.10 | Comment
World’s tallest building is now in Dubai

2,717 feet. That’s the number to beat to earn the title of world’s tallest building. Perhaps a signal of where this century’s power and wealth will emerge, United Arab Emirates seems like an appropriate location for the modern, ...

Film Industry News
Bollywood comes to Toronto in 2011 for Indian Academy Awards
by Tom Eden, 12.09.09 | Comment
Bollywood comes to Toronto in 2011 for Indian Academy Awards

This is an odd bit of news, but after reading some Web sites I think I get it. Indian film is for everyone. Let’s dance!

It turns out that the Indian Academy Awards is like an all-star game.

It’s hosted ...

Bond. James Bond.
Dr. No and Three Blind Mice
by Tom Eden, 12.07.09 | Comment
Dr. No and Three Blind Mice

It’s hard to fathom that the most storied of franchises, Ian Flemming’s James Bond, is almost half a century old. Test of time? How about test of eternity… with mega box-office earnings to match.

Over the decades, the actors ...

Snow in San Jose
Things to do: Christmas in the Park
by Tom Eden, 12.04.09 | Comment
Things to do: Christmas in the Park

One of my favorite traditions is Christmas in the Park in downtown San Jose. Now celebrating its 30th year, I really enjoy the atmosphere at Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park , and get a hoot out of the ...

Entertainment
The top 3 classic movies of all time?
by Tom Eden, 11.03.09 | Comment
The top 3 classic movies of all time?

Sure, anyone can choose the top 20 movies of all time, or even whittle it down, begrudgingly, to 10. But how about 3?

Put your game face on. Sink or swim. Back’s against the wall. This is the definitive, best, absolute ...

The World's a stage
These Halloween costumes will have you stage ready
by Tom Eden, 10.21.09 | Comment
These Halloween costumes will have you stage ready

Might this be the year to take your Halloween costume up a notch or two? Say, a spear shaker. Or perhaps channel your inner socialite in a period piece get-up that requires its own parking space. Or maybe just ...

YouTube Politics
Gavin Newsom’s first YouTube ad: I’ve seen and heard it all before…
by Tom Eden, 10.14.09 | Comment
Gavin Newsom’s first YouTube ad: I’ve seen and heard it all before…

Gavin Newsom is taking it to the web, social media style… “for a better California” of course. Thanks to the low, low cost—that would be free—of sites like YouTube his campaign team is doing what it can to ...

Entertainment News
‘This is It’ Michael Jackson single released: Smash or trash?
by Tom Eden, 10.13.09 | Comment
‘This is It’ Michael Jackson single released: Smash or trash?

Here’s Michael Jackson’s “new”—recorded in 1991—posthumous single “This is It”, co-written by Paul Anka, and just released on Monday. What do you think? (stream is below)

It’s part of a mega-marketing push by Sony to promote the upcoming movie ...