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All Back Issues Of OMNI Magazine Now Available Via Amazon

OMNI was a "science and science fiction" magazine consistently ahead of its time, and it featured great stories from Harlan Ellison, William S Burroughs, Joyce Carol Oates, George R. R. Martin and the mighty William Gibson, just to name a few.

And don't get me started on the amazing artwork found inside every issue, like this rare Dune art that reveals Frank Herbert's original vision:

(Image Link)

OMNI was recently available to download for free via archive.org but has since moved to Amazon, where high-resolution issues are sold individually and free to read for Kindle Unlimited subscribers.

Check out all back issues at the OMNI Archive here, and if you have Kindle Unlimited enjoy your trip into sci-fi history! If not let's hope it surfaces for free again soon.

-Via Boing Boing


70 People Were Harmed In The Making Of This Film

You know how movies often include a disclaimer in the credits that says "no animals were harmed in the making of this film"?

Well, one film in particular deserves an award for "most people harmed during the making of a film", because by the time the movie was finished a whopping 70 people had been injured or outright mauled during production.

ROAR [Theatrical trailer] In theaters this April! from DRAFTHOUSE FILMS on Vimeo.

"ROAR" stars Tippi Hedren, a young Melanie Griffith and a cast of savage lions, tigers and cheetahs who couldn't help but chew on the cast and crew every chance they got.

In fact, director of photography Jan de Bont is lucky to be alive after he was nearly scalped by a lion, leaving him in need of 120 stitches- which made him the perfect model for the movie poster.

But the maulings didn't stop there, and nobody was safe from the wild cast of critters:

Noel Marshall was bitten many times, often on camera, and hospitalized with gangrene; Hedren suffered a fractured leg wound during a scene with Timbo the elephant. The actress later found black gangrene in that leg as well— discovered while visiting Jerry in the hospital for his leg injury, no less. The list goes on. A horrific injury that Melanie Griffith suffered is even witnessed on-camera, during a scene in which she lay in a lion’s grasp (facial reconstructive surgery proved necessary).

Incidents like these have placed the film in an uneasy category of recognition: some cast and crew speak openly about the struggles on the film, while others, including Griffith, want nothing more to do with it. During filming, it was suggested that, due to Noel’s involvement, the production had been struck by the fabled “Curse of The Exorcist”—the inexplicable downfall of anyone linked to that production.

Read 70 People Were Harmed In The Making Of This Film at Creators


Obnoxious Stereotypes That Need To Die

You probably know what happens when you assume, but in case you don't know simply divide "assume" into a beginning and end word with a letter U in the middle, starting with another word for butt.

Now that we've established it's dumb to assume things about people let's discuss dumb stereotypes that just won't die, which often have to do with appearance.

Do you still assume "ethnic people" greet each other with elaborate handshakes and never need sunscreen because their skin is "already tan"? That's what happens when you ass-u-me.

Here's one John Farrier will appreciate- do you assume all librarians are little bespectacled old ladies? Better not let John hear you saying that, or you might get lost in the racks...

And here's one I can relate to- smoking a pipe does not make you a hipster, and I was pipin' like me grandpappy before it became part of the hipster trend, so let me pipe in peace!

See 30 Obnoxious Stereotypes That Just Won't Die here


The Science Behind Captain America's Electromagnetic Shield

There are many unbelievable things about Captain America's character, but if you can believe there's a metal called Vibranium and a Super Soldier Serum then the electromagnetic action on his shield should be no big deal.

And as you can see in this 60 Seconds Of Science video Captain America's shield and electromagnetic bracer make up one of the most realistic weapon systems in the Marvel Universe.

(YouTube Link)

Ontario Science Centre educator Russell Zeid and engineer James "The Hacksmith" Hobson discuss the real science behind Captain America's electromagnetic shield, and demonstrate how it would look in real life. Only two words to describe it- freakin' cool!

-Via Laughing Squid


Batman Vs Drunk Superman

Superman has been drunk on power, high on drugs made specifically for Kryptonians and delirious after a spell was cast on his mind, but his alien metabolism makes it virtually impossible for him to get drunk on Earth booze.

But if he's able to get his hands on some Kryptonian Moonjuice or Martian Ripple he transforms into Drunk Superman- with the power to pee on (and piss off) the Batman faster than a speeding bullet.

(YouTube Link)

Australian visual effects artist Darren Wallace created this silly parody video that shows why we Earthlings need to make sure Supes stays sober- because humans are fragile!

-Via comicbook


Baby Black Rhino Practices His Charging Skills Even Though His Horn Hasn't Grown In Yet

Rhinos are born to be badasses, but before they can take down a Jeep with their charge they have to start small- by charging at little plastic barrels.

The eager little black rhino in this video is Moyo, and he was born just a few weeks ago at the Saint Louis Zoo. Moyo's part of the zoo's Species Survival Plan for critically endangered species, and since there are only about 5000 black rhinos left in the wild his birth is important to species conservation.

Plus he has already starred in his own viral video!:

Our “tough guy” Moyo doesn’t have his horns yet, but that doesn’t stop him practicing his charge! The 2-week-old black rhinoceros calf is very active and zookeepers provide him with a variety of toys and enrichment throughout the day. Play is important for baby animals – it’s how they learn the skills they will need as adults.

(YouTube Link)

-Via Laughing Squid


Frozen Charlotte- The Creepy Victorian-Era Dolls That Slept In Coffins

The strange little dolly you see in the photo above was an extremely popular toy from the mid-1800s called a bathing doll, also known as solid chinas or bathing babies, which were porcelain dolls kids played with in the tub.

Bathing dolls were first manufactured in Germany around 1850, they sold for a penny so the kids really dug them, and in England parents would bake them into puddings and cakes around Christmas.

But bathing dolls soon became associated with the creepy poem "Young Charlotte" written by humorist Seba Smith in 1840:

The poem recounted the grim true tale of a young woman who had frozen to death one New Year’s Eve while out riding with her sweetheart in an open sleigh. This poor unfortunate lass had failed to heed her mother’s advice:

“O, daughter dear,” her mother cried,
“This blanket ’round you fold;
It is a dreadful night tonight,
You’ll catch your death of cold.”

“O, nay! O, nay!” young Charlotte cried,
And she laughed like a gypsy queen;
“To ride in blankets muffled up,
I never would be seen.”

Smith’s poem inspired the folk song “Fair Charlotte”:

“He took her hand in his — O, God!
’Twas cold and hard as stone;
He tore the mantle from her face,
Cold stars upon it shone.
Then quickly to the glowing hall,
Her lifeless form he bore;
Fair Charlotte’s eyes were closed in death,
Her voice was heard no more.

The dolls became known as "Frozen Charlotte" in the U.S., and some even came complete with their own coffin and burial shroud.

Nowadays "Frozen Charlottes" are considered quite collectible, especially when they have their coffin, and since they range in size from about 2 inches to over 18 inches tall they appeal to all kinds of collectors.

-Via Dangerous Minds


The Gorgeous 1949 Kurtis Sport Car That Helped Launch Motor Trend Magazine

(Image Link)

This 1949 Kurtis Sport Car is a beautiful vintage convertible and an extremely rare car, since only 16 of them were ever made, but it's also the car that helped launch Motor Trend magazine by posing for the first issue.

In fact, the V8 dreamboat seen in these photos is the same Kurtis Sport Car that appeared on the cover of that inaugural issue, and it's just as gorgeous today as the day it rolled out of the Kurtis plant.  

Here's more on this amazing(ly rare) automobile:

The Kurtis Sport Car was a product of the astonishing explosion of automotive creativity that occurred in California after World War II. After enduring a grinding depression and a grueling war, Americans were ready to celebrate as the booming economy provided jobs and prosperity. They’d had enough of cars for hard times — the somber and sensible Depression-era sedans and coupes they’d nursed through the war years on old tires and rationed gas. California was where the party started. And Frank Kurtis, the son of a Croatian blacksmith, was at its epicenter.

The Kurtis’s combination of easy, American V-8 muscle and European-style chassis tuning must have seemed sensational back in 1949. Frank Kurtis had demonstrated a compelling formula for an all-American sports car: The Kurtis Sport Car was well-engineered, well-detailed, and well-built.

-Via design you trust


Game Night At Snake Mountain

Gamers play roleplaying games to become part of the genre stories they love and escape the scary, stressful and painfully mundane nature of life on Earth, if only for a little while.

But how would beings like Skeletor, Mer-Man and Beastman, who live in a world full of magic and wonder, feel about roleplaying games? And what sort of characters would they want to play?

According to this comic by Artist QuadForceFive Skeletor's obsession with He-Man would inevitably make him want to play He-Man- and he would NOT have the power!

-Via Geeks Are Sexy


Blind Boy Sends Letter To Nintendo To Thank Them For Game, Gets A Response In Braille

Every fan has their own reason for loving Nintendo, whether it's because of their favorite characters, favorite console games or because their games can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.

But fifth-grader Hibiki Sakai has an unique reason for enjoying the Nintendo series Rhythm Heaven- he can play the games in the series even though he's blind. 

Hibiki lost his eyesight as a toddler due to a childhood cancer called retinoblastoma, and after the cancer left him blind Hibiki developed a love of rhythm- and he even started playing the drums.

His love of rhythm led Hibiki to play the Rhythm Heaven games, which he could actually play with other kids, and in this way Nintendo changed his life- so he wrote them a letter to thank them.

Here's the translation:

Dear Nintendo,

How do you do. My name is Hibiki Sakai, and I am in 5th grade.

I cannot see with my eyes, but I have always wanted to play games, just like everybody else. There were hardly any games I could play.

The only game I could actually play was "Rhythm Heaven." I was able to enjoy only this game with others, and no one could beat me in this game.

I have perfected the game on Game Boy Advance, Game Boy DS, Wii, and 3DS.

Therefore, I strongly hope you keep making "Rhythm Heaven" going forward. I can handle it, even if you made it a little bit harder!!

I am sure that there are many visually impaired kids besides me who want to but cannot play games.

That is why I hope you develop games that people with physical disabilities can enjoy with other people. I will continue to support Nintendo.

From: Hibiki Sakai

Nintendo showed they genuinely appreciated Hibiki's letter by sending him a letter in return, which was printed in braille and promised they'd "keep doing our best to create games that everyone can have fun with."

Hibiki's dad Kentaro was thrilled by their response:

"As parents, we were truly surprised to get a prompt and sincere response to a letter written by a child. Regardless of whether a new version is released or not, we were very happy that the letter brought hope to Hibiki."

"Hibiki taught us that people are not unfortunate because of their disabilities, rather, the heart that is weakened by the disabilities is unfortunate. By changing his blindness from a fate to a mission, he fights on everyday toward a big goal of becoming a drummer who can bring courage and hope to the world."

-Via BuzzFeed


Cop Attacked By Wild Animal Inside Police Station

The police department represents safety, security and defense to many people, and therefore police stations are seen as extremely safe spaces because there are so many cops coming and going from the station all day every day.

But sometimes things go all Assault On Precinct 13 because bad guys like to target cops when they have nothing left to lose, and apparently so do rogue rodents.

(YouTube Link)

This horrifying security camera footage was shot inside the Saint Petersburg police station in Florida, but the same kind of savage animal attack can happen at a station near you.

-Via Boing Boing


A Montage Of Movie Characters Saying The Title Of Their Film

It's considered cheesy for a character to name drop the title of the film by today's standards, but back in the day the “title drop” was something viewers anticipated, cheered at and talked about after watching a movie.

Some movies like Good Morning Vietnam, White Men Can't Jump, Dude, Where's My Car?, Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot and What About Bob? Use the title drop during a memorable scene.

Others like The Godfather, The Big Lebowski, Hobo With A Shotgun, The Wolf Of Wall Street and Fantastic Mr. Fox are named after the main character so the name drop feels natural but doesn't make for a quotable moment.

All of these movies also have one other thing in common- they're all included in this compilation video by Roman Holiday entitled “Title Drops” along with around a hundred and forty more.

Title Drops from Roman Holiday on Vimeo.

-Via Laughing Squid


Vintage Photos Taken Inside Opium Dens

Opium den 1920’s New York.

The idea of an opium den operating somewhat openly in towns and cities around the world is seen as scary by many people nowadays, as the war on drugs put the fear of violent junkies in our minds.

But by the mid-19th century opium dens had become a quite common, and somewhat normalized, part of city life- that nobody ever wanted to talk about.

So opium dens operated freely, albeit discreetly, and they let anyone with the coin of the realm lie back and ride the dragon in the safety of their pillow-laden pad:

From the 1850s on, the opium den spread across the world as a seedy place of refuge for commoner and lord. In Europe opium was viewed as a potentially liberating and creative touchstone. In America, it was seen as an evil and degenerate drug that led to vice, squalor, poverty, madness and death.

However, it should be noted that when the use of opium and the opium den was most prevalent or most virulent—depending on your view—that both America and Europe were at the peak of an industrial, social and cultural revolution. Opium did not appear to make people slackers. Even a fictional hero like Sherlock Holmes indulged in the occasional pipe—all in the line of duty, of course.

Photographer Brassaï kicking back in a Parisian opium den circa 1931

Opium should have been considered the ultimate gateway drug to the Reefer Madness crowd rather than pot, because ordinary folks who came for the opium high often gave up the rest of their lives to the needle when morphine and heroin took over:

By the 1900s, the opium den was no longer quite so ubiquitous. There were dens still to be found in most cosmopolitan cities like New York, San Francisco, London, and Paris, but opium was now mainly a fashionable prop for the bohemian, artistic, and literary class to indulge. Those who wanted a real kick sought opium in other forms—first as morphine then as heroin.

In a rather horrific twist of fate, morphine was originally considered to be the cure for opium addiction. In the late nineteenth century, morphine pills were introduced to China to help cure opium addicts. These pills were called “Jesus opium” as they were given out by missionaries. This “cure” was also sold in America right up until the 1906 U.S. Pure Food and Drug Addict which meant drug content had to be specified and banned the sale of products with false claims.

See more from Smoker's Delight: Vintage Photographs Of Opium Dens at Dangerous Minds (NSFW-ish)


Animated Creatures Have Invaded This Guy's Home

If you're lucky you'll never know what it's like to have your home invaded by cartoons- friends, relatives or otherwise. But if you ever discover a toon or two lurking in your home you should act fast and call in the Erasers to avoid a full-blown invasion.

Because, as storyboard artist and animator Marty "Hombre_McSteez" Cooper discovered, when toons invade your homes things become uncomfortably ridiculous real fast.

(YouTube Link)

-Via Laughing Squid


What Freddy And Jason's Final Battle Would Have Really Looked Like

When the two superstars of slasherdom finally got to battle it out in Freddy Vs. Jason the writers came up with a pretty convoluted reason for their conflict- Jason refused to let Freddy boss him around.

But if we've learned anything about these characters it's that they both have a penchant for killing people that defines their very existence, so rather than enemies Freddy and Jason would have been soulmates.

And, as this comic by JHALL and Tristan Cooper shows, the two would have preferred to snuggle on the couch and watch the live-action Scooby Doo movies rather than fighting. That is, unless Freddy said something mean about Jason's mom...

-Via Dorkly


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Profile for Zeon Santos

  • Member Since 2012/08/04


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