Olive the Rabbit

So I'm going to talk about my talented partner in crime a bit here. Her name is Roseline Lau and we've worked together as animators all across Australia. We mostly animated in Adobe flash (grrr) and working in that for 5 years and the productions we were on limiting/restricting how much drawing we could do (the time it took to draw 'on model' usually means we just use what we have even if it looks lousy) meant we both hit a breaking point. Rose pretty much swore she would never animate again.

While I'm still struggling trying to find the love and do more interesting creatively challenging animated projects, Rose has gone ahead and setup her own business 'Olive the Rabbit' Pet portraitures of your animal friends

Let's Be Critical About Arkham City and Uncharted 3.

Recent weeks have seen the launch of two of the biggest videogames of the year: the long anticipated Batman: Arkham City, and even more recently Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception. Both are reviewing exceptionally well, attaining perfect, or near-perfect scores, especially from mainstream review sites. There's a lot of pressure on creators for their triple A title to review high (and its been reported that in some workplaces scores have been linked to salary and job), and I've heard many a reviewer claim that there's equal pressure on them to keep scores high. It's quite the statement to give games like these anything less than a 9/10 - for some of these publishers an 8 is unbearable.

I've played through both games now, and they are certainly among the best of the year, and there's no denying that they're great fun to play and have a superior polish. I thoroughly enjoyed both games, and they each have many killer moments, and yet I'm kind of dissatisfied to see that the criticism is pretty light. It's not my intention to nitpick but, to be honest, as good as these games are, they still have their share of empty moments, unengaging game-play and unsatisfying storytelling. Have you ever felt that? That moment where you're playing a game and thinking, "I know this is the big new thing - and everyone's raving about it - so why aren't I enjoying playing it right now?" It's almost taboo to talk about it!

But join me after the jump and we'll do just that! (SPOILERS ahead!)

Clone Wars Recap S4 E08: The General!

Second verse. Same as the first? The four part Umbara saga continues with this week's episode The General, presumably focussed around four-armed, hardass, douchebag Jedi, General Krell, who spent last week bossing around the clones like the disposable, test-tube-baby, cannon fodder they are. The bastard!

"GO TO YOUR ROOM!"

Will this week be more of the same? I predict: darkness, lasers, impossible missions, gruff military screaming, a fallen comrade, a lesson learned, and a hard-won victory.

Join me after the jump to see if I'm right...

Movember Day Five: Max Ray

TVs Max Ray is best known for his performance as Max Ray in the 1985 classic cartoon "Centurians" where he was a lover of fish and water. See, in the near future, Doc Terror is hellbent on world domination, and Max here is hellbent on that not happening. With his bros Ace McCloud and Jake Rockwell, they give each other high fives and slam PBR while shouting "Power Extreme" to suit up with all sorts of high tech weaponry. They were so popular, they even made toys of them so you could reenact their most famous battles and exploits, like sexually harassing the coffee barista and ending world hunger (both true). Even Jack Kirby got in on the action.

Power Xtreme

Paranoid Android Lettuce remix

Radiohead fans are always ahead of the music curve

In case you needed reminding of the song and I just really like this videoclip

Tom Selleck's Moustache Cameos in A Lot of Famous Films!

And if our magical moustacheod Thank Gif It's Friday wasn't enough to warm your top lip this fine Movember, then check out Richard Sandling's hilariously hirsute video of Tom Selleck's legendary moustache finding its way into some legendary films!

Moustaches clearly make everything better! How's yours coming along? Ladies?

Thank Gif it's Friday! Moustachioed Edition

Hey it's still Friday in the USA! Just. Here's a magical moustachioed edition.

Source.

Recap: America's Next Top Model Season 17, Episode 8

Time to stuff some jellybeans in your ears, Top Model is getting MUSICAL!

Movember day foursome: Singham

ohhhhhhh the sh** is about to get real!!



My favourite part is that no one dies and it's a relatively clean arrest... unlike this one



...they shouldn't have made him angry. They didn't like him when he became angry.

read more about the plot after the jump

You Got Your Mupppets in My Wrestling

So if you missed it, the Muppets appeared on WWE Raw (that's wrestling, you guys!) on Halloween night, because if there's one group of people that the producers of the upcoming Muppet movie want to get into theatres these holidays it's wrestling fans! And if that mash-up sounds as strange to you as it does to me, then why not sit back and watch a clip from the show! I like to call it... Out-Acted by Muppets! For realz!

Actually all this clip does is convince me that wrestling is in fact 100% real! I'm just pissed that no one jumped in the Sweetums suit and pile-drived an oily sociopath!

To a Pulp

'I'm sorry, did I break your concentration? I didn't mean to do that. Please, continue...you were saying something about 'Best Intentions'? What's the matter? Oh, you were finished! Well, allow me to retort.'

Whenever I get stuck in life, I seem to fall back to Pulp Fiction or Star Wars.

At least, lately I do.

And why not? Two excellent sources of Truth if there ever WERE.

So...yeah, it's me again. But a different kind of me, and with a different slant. And there is a reason for that. Although, anyone who reads my useless shit, or has, for the past couple of years won't see this as anything 'different'.

Let's get down to brass tacks, gentlemen. If I was informed correctly, the clock is ticking, is that right, Jimmie?

Just what in the name of FUGGIN' HELL am I trying to say?

Find out after we get to Monster Joe's Truck and Tow.

Movember Day Three: Ted Lange

People like to think that The Love Boat was all about a boat, or romance, or whatever, but we here at Fruitless Pursuits know the real truth. Premiering in the 70s (the decade of optimal moustacheness), the show was clearly a vehicle for Ted Lange's sweet mo. As Isaac Washington, the ship's bartender, he could whip you up an Appletini and sexually satisfy yo' momma without even breaking a sweat.

Bill Murray Themed Art Show Opening TONIGHT!

Did you know that the latest from LA's awesome Gallery 1988 is Please Post Bills, an art tribute to beautiful, embitter, pock-marked comedy legend, the irrepressible Mr. Bill Murray? Star of Garfield and Garfield's Still Fat?

 I kid, of course, because I have nothing but respect for Mr. Murray, and my favourite films of all time include: Ghostbusters and Lost in Translation, and I love Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Life Aquatic, Groundhog Day, Zombieland, Stripes, and holy shit, even Meatballs. Bill makes everything better. And no other actor is as deserving of such a show.

Art by Rich Pellegrino.

If you can't get there in person (like me on the other side of the world!) then you can get more info here. Or join me after the jump to view another couple of favourites!

No Handed Bike Moves and Sword Dancing for Grandma

Time for some "awwwww yeahhh"

First up, how to ride a bike like a boss...

Now how to impress Grandma like a boss...

Mannn I'm pretty worn out after all that. I think I might have to take a nap.

Grand Theft Auto V Trailer Revealed.

While GTA 4 left me kinda cold and bored, I loved GTV 3 and its pseudo sequels (Vice City and San Andreas). This trailer has me excited for a sexy new spin in the world. Plus - killing hookers to get your money back in high def. What are your best moves in a GTA game?

Did You Know There Is A Playmobil Minifigures Series 1?

I can only assume that Playmobil has seen the massive success of the Lego minifigure line, and decided to launch their own. If they didn't, then this would be a massive coincidence, but I will continue to assume.

I first saw these a week ago and passed on them because I've been tinkering with the idea of selling all of my Playmobil. I don't really want to, but it's an expensive and bulky collection. But a few days ago I gave in and bought 3 of the blind packaged figures.

Series 1 is pretty huge. There are 12 blue packs consisting of male figures, and 12 pink packs consisting of female figures. They retail for $2.99-$3.99 each. If you can get them somewhere and save that $1, it really helps. But not at the Cherry Hill, NJ Toys R' Us :(

So which ones did I get?

Movember Day Two: Saddam Hussein

He may be better known for his brutal dictatorship, his oil, or maybe even his epic beard (in his later, more underground years), but for me Saddam always had the perfect mustache. It went long past the edge of his lips and could completely conceal his entire mouth, if needed. And I'm sure he found a reason.

Project Runway Recaps: S09 E13 FINALE!!!

 

Oh my lord, the finale of Project Runway Season 9 was last week and I'm only just getting around to this. I am a terrible person! But not as terrible as everyone involved in Project Runway (except St Tim Gunn). Let's recap this shit!

Screen test

Such a beautifully animated and acted short

directed by Steffen Schaffler (the Periwig Maker)

What's Out? Week of the 2nd of Movember

The first new comics day of Movember! How are you going to spend that money you would have spent on shaving accessories? I am here to show you your options:

All aboard the NaNoWriMo train!!

It's November, and aside from epically wonderful moustaches, this month has something additional to offer.

NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is a month long, 50 000 word sprint of epic, brainbending proportions. You write a novel in 30 days. "Wha?" I hear you say, "Easy!!" It's really bloody not. It's pretty cruisy initially, sailing through your daily 1667 word limit, feeding off the international adrenalin, but towards the middle of the run? Your interest starts flagging. You start hating what you've done, and finishing becomes a punishing feat of endurance rather than a joyous romp.

Explainage after the break:

Movember Day One: Mr. Tom Selleck

Hopefully you are aware of Movember, the month where men all over Australia - and around the world - grow fine, stylish, soup-strainer moustaches to raise awareness and money for important men's health issues. You can check out the official site here and begin the exciting process of cultivating your own facial 'fro. Guys respect it, women love it, and soup sticks to it, so seriously guys, you have nothing to lose. Women can also get in on the action by shaving or trimming moustache shapes onto their own bodies. Be creative! Because that's what Movember is all about.

Here on Fruitless Pursuits, we'll do our own part to raise awareness by showcasing a fabulous moustache every single day of Movember. And who better to kick off the month than the dapper Mr. Tom Selleck, a man known for his charisma, charm, and the fine pelt of lip-hugging fur that bridges his chops. We've seen him with two other men and a baby. We've even seen him with a little lady. And now thanks to the genius Tumblr Selleck Waterfall Sandwich you can see many pictures of him standing near a waterfall. And a sandwich...

Now Tom Selleck didn't invent the moustache, or the waterfall, or the sandwich for that matter. But he sure made them popular! Join me after the jump for another couple of choice cuts from this eye-wateringly beautiful site!

7th by Sara Pocock

When a girl gets off at the wrong bus stop on her way to meet a new friend, she finds herself alone in a part of the city she is unfamiliar with. As she nervously navigates herself through dark Los Angeles streets, she is overcome with terror. The real threat, however, does not come from the streets

7th by Sara Pocock

I'm sure it's still Halloween somewhere

The Raven read by Christopher Walken

needs more cowbell

Halloween Costume Ideas - Average Looking Person

Mild mannered Zombie Boy (aka Rico Genest) has decided to to go as a normal looking dude for halloween this year. BEHOLD!!! The power of Makeup!

Unimpressed? Well, watch this team of professional makeup artists use Dermablend Makup to make him look "normal" in this video below:

Boo

Kickstart the Week: 'Americana' Playing Card Deck by Russell Kercheval

As a sucker for a good playing card deck (and wonderful graphic design), as well as someone who has been toying around with their own custom deck designs... this kind of blew me away.

Click here to visit and support the project on Kickstarter!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1017676492/americana-playing-card-deck

More about the project (including lots of images).. after the jump.

Baman and Piderman sleepover

A Halloween themed toon for tonight

Comics Face: Halloween Special

Happy Halloween, dear readers!

Under the Man-croscope: Halloween Edition! Supernaturals!

Behold the Man-croscope! A finely tuned device that allows the user to carefully scrutinize your childhood memories with the cold, cynical eye of an embittered adult! Remember that thing you loved? Not any more! What will the Man-croscope's roving gaze turn on this time?

Well, it's Halloween, and although we don't celebrate it in Australia, I still want you to brace yourself for an extra spooky instalment! I've reached deep into my memory banks and pulled out sinister shape-shifting short-lived eighties toy line Supernaturals! WoooOOOOOoooooOOOoo! (That's a ghost sound - but don't panic, I'm just making it with my keyboard).

Image from the awesome The Yellowed Pages blog which has a full scan of spooky Supernaturals comic!

Don't remember Supernaturals? Weren't even born then? Don't give a crap? Regardless, I'll assault you with my regrettably limited knowledge AFTER THE JUMP!

Rocktober Gallery Day #31

Gyroscope, Challenge Stadium, 2009

Happy Halloween

Metal Mondays: BABYMETAL

Too old to be babies and too smiley to be metal! It's BABYMETAL!

Thundercats Thunder-recaps Episode 9: Berbils

Oh shit, you guys! Thundercats is back with episode 9: Berbils, which is largely about the reproductive mysteries of robot ewoks and smashing things with a hammer.

I toyed with skipping out on my obligation to continue to provide you with these recaps, but then the Power of Omens surged inside me and I decided that it would be a dick move. Because somebody out there has to enjoy Thundercats and my recaps -  even though close friends constantly tell me, "Oh, I read all your stuff. Except for the Thundercats recaps. Because I don't care about Thundercats!"

Dudes... you don't even need to care about Thundercats to enjoy my well-considered recaps. Because I am going to break it all down for you and explain it to you in an extremely seductive way. Thunderschool is in session and you are all my students.

Join me after the jump, when class begins!

Mameshiba: Japanese Trivia Bean Dogs!

Mameshiba! I'd seen these things around Chinatown and thought nothing of them other than "they're pretty cute". But what exactly are they?
The official website says: "They're not quite a bean, nor a dog but rather a hybrid of both. They love to appear out of nowhere and offer random bits of trivia whether you asked for it or not..."

That is EXACTLY what happens in this video:

I love the ungrateful reaction on that kid! More after jump!

Rocktober Gallery Day #30

Lupe Fiasco, Metro City, 2010