question of the day: How would the economy in Harry Potter’s world differ most significantly from our own?

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I stumbled across an article at The Economist recently headlined “The Harry Potter economy.” How cool is that?! I thought: a serious economics magazine is extrapolating upon the economic implications of magic. That is some mega-geekery. As it turns out, the article is just another rundown of the money side of the Harry Potter franchise … more…

totally quotable! 2009

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Here are the most quotable movie lines of the year 2009. No ranking — newer quotes are posted at the top. [Warning: May contain spoilers.] “I’m craving a burger. Is that strange?” –Sergeant Matt Thompson (Guy Pearce), as he puts on his bomb suit, The Hurt Locker “If he wasn’t an insurgent, he sure the … more…

say what? 2009

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It had to be done: all in one place, the very best bad dialogue of the year 2009. No ranking — newer quotes are posted at the top. [Warning: May contain spoilers.] “Bella, the only thing that can hurt me is you.” –Edward (Robert Pattinson, The Twilight Saga: New Moon “I’m not good. I used … more…

watch it: 1939 Chevrolet ad, in Technicolor!

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This predates commercial television, and certainly color television, so this must have been shown at the movies: YouTube poster steviebboy69 makes an excellent point: Dad’s in a suit and tie, and Mom has on a dressy dress and chic hat. Are they dressed up to go see the grandparents or are they dressed up to … more…

because body snarking is the hot hobby for 2010

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No one can stop talking about Mo’Nique’s flash of hairy legs at the Golden Globes, according to stylist. Or perhaps because too many uppity broads have gotten the idea that because a two-day growth of facial hair on a dude = sexy, they can go around au naturel, too. The notion that women are human … more…

NBC’s business plan: burn money, then burn more money

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Item: NBC will pay Conan O’Brien a severance of $40 million— no, wait, maybe it’s $45 million. Well, some of the dough will go to O’Brien’s laid-off staffers, but still: that’s a ton of money to not work. Item: NBC is going to lose hundreds of millions of dollars broadcasting the Winter Olympics next month. … more…

trailer break: ‘The Crazies’

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Take a break from work: watch a trailer… Fantastic: another remake of a 1970s horror movie. The 1973 original was by George Romero, so surely it’s still worth watching today. What’s the point of a remake? How is this not like every other damn movie about infection we’ve ever seen? The ordinary folk getting sick. … more…