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I’m pretty sure I saw these things in one of the Terminator movies.

From Engadget:

We’ve kept a pretty stern eye on the development of GRASP Lab’s quadrocopters, and with good reason it seems, now that the four-bladed aerial ninjas have even more alarming abilities at their disposal. In the video after the break, watch them hold a variety of complex formations like it’s no thing — even while on the move. The ‘copters can also take flight, or resume position, after being thrown into the air, navigating real world obstacles with deft fluidity. It’s part of Pennsylvania University’s Scalable sWarms of Autonomous Robots and Mobile Sensors project (conveniently SWARMS for short), which is responsible for developing the air-born acrobats’ new grouping skills. They say it’s an attempt to replicate swarming habits in nature, though we’re not convinced.

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They stole my idea.

The starters for the 2012 NBA All-Star game, who are voted in each year by the fans, were announced today:

East
F LeBron James
F Carmelo Anthony
C Dwight Howard
G Derrick Rose
G Dwyane Wade

West
F Kevin Durant
F Blake Griffin
C Andrew Bynum
G Chris Paul
G Kobe Bryant

The 7 remaining reserve players for each team will be selected by the league’s coaches and announced next week.

These are the players who deserve to be selected:

East reserves:
F Andre Iguodala, PHI (16-6) – 13.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 5.0 apg, 19.2 PER
F Danny Granger, IND (15-6) – 18.3 ppg, 18.3 PER
C Chris Bosh, MIA (16-6) – 20.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 21.0 PER
G Joe Johnson, ATL (16-7) – 19.1 ppg 19.0 PER
G Rajon Rondo, BOS (11-10) – 15.0 ppg, 9.4 apg, 5.1 rpg, 20.4 PER
F Paul Pierce, BOS (11-10) – 17.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 5.5 apg, 21.0 PER
G Brandon Jennings, MIL (10-11) – 20.5 ppg, 5.6 apg, 21.1 PER

East players who deserve consideration:
G Deron Williams, NJN (8-15) – 20.5 ppg, 8.5 apg, 19.7 PER
F Josh Smith, ATL (16-7) – 15.4 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 19.0 PER
F Carlos Boozer, CHI (19-6) – 14.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 19.6 PER
C Roy Hibbert, IND (15-6) – 14.0 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 21.0 PER
F Luol Deng, CHI (19-6) – 15.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 16.3 PER
F Amare Stoudemire, NYK (8-14) – 17.6 PPG, 6.6 rpg, 21.2 PER

So the two biggest snubs that I can see are Deron Williams and Josh Smith, but New Jersey’s playing awful, and I feel as if Jennings deserves to make the team, given that he has Milwaukee in 8th in the East. Paul Pierce is quietly putting together another solid season, and Danny Granger and Andre Iguodala deserve to make the team based on their team’s success.

West reserves:
F Danilo Galinari, DEN (14-7) – 17.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 20.1 PER
F Kevin Love, MIN (10-12) – 25.3 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 25.9 PER
C Marc Gasol, MEM (12-10) – 14.9 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 19.9 PER
G Russell Westbrook, OKC (17-4) – 21.9 ppg, 5.7 apg, 23.0 PER
G Tony Parker, SAN (15-9) – 17.0 ppg, 7.7 apg, 20.0 PER
F LaMarcus Aldridge, POR (13-10) – 22.6 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 23.6 PER
F Al Jefferson, UTA (12-9) – 18.5 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 22.0 PER

West players who deserve consideration:
G Steve Nash, PHX (8-13) – 15.2 ppg, 9.9 apg, 23.9 PER
F Pau Gasol, LAL (13-9) – 16.3 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 20.1 PER
F Dirk Nowitzki, DAL (14-9) – 16.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 17.8 PER
F Rudy Gay, MEM (12-10) – 17.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 15.8 PER
F Tim Duncan, SAN (15-9) – 13.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 19.7 PER

The only question mark is Marc Gasol, because you can make the argument that Rudy Gay should represent Memphis at the All-Star game. Other than that, it’s tough to argue with the selections, even if it does mean the end of an era with Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki, and Tim Duncan all getting passed over. It’s conceivable that Pau and Dirk will be selected based on their reputations, but LaMarcus Aldridge, Al Jefferson, and Danilo Gallinari deserve to represent their overachieving teams.

Related posts:
My 2010 NBA All-Star reserves
USA Men’s Basketball roster for the 2012 London Olympics
Roland Emmerich’s 2012

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From E: The best thing I’ve seen today.
An excellent example of my greatest fear:
Quite likely the greatest footage ever.

Man, I love how these sound. Canadian composer/producer Streets by Night has just released his five track album, Acappella Sessions Vol. 1, that takes songs from Jay-Z (Song Cry), 2 Pac (Me Against the World), Aaliyah (Are You That Somebody?), Notorious B.I.G. (Everyday Struggle), and Nas (It Ain’t Hard to Tell), and sets them to new instrumentation. The album turns five classic hip-hop tracks into beautiful, haunting ballads. You have to listen yourself to get a feel for them, but I’m hooked. Can’t wait to hear the next five he does.

Here’s the Aaliyah track:

Click here to download the full album for free.

So here’s my list of who I think will win at tonight’s Golden Globe Awards, not necessarily of who I think should win.

UPDATE: Winners in Amber!

Best Motion Picture – Drama
The Descendants * Well, it was either this or Hugo. So I was half right?
The Help
Hugo
The Ides of March
Moneyball
War Horse

The only film I haven’t yet seen among the nominees is War Horse, but of the other five nominees, Hugo seems likes the strongest contender (Steven Spielberg wasn’t even nominated for Best Director). The Descendants is the only other possibility I can see of the five. No clue how War Horse stacks up.

Best Performance By An Actress In A Motion Picture – Drama
Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis, The Help
Rooney Mara, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady * I knew. Somehow I just knew.
Tilda Swinton, We Need To Talk About Kevin

I’m poorly equipped to predict this category. I haven’t yet seen four of the five performances, but my suspicion is that Meryl Streep will win, you know, because she’s Meryl Streep. Tilda Swinton would be my second choice.

Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture – Drama
George Clooney, The Descendants * I knew. Somehow I just knew. (again)
Leonardo DiCaprio, J. Edgar
Michael Fassbender, Shame
Ryan Gosling, The Ides of March
Brad Pitt, Moneyball

Although I think George Clooney will win, Michael Fassbender is the more deserving nominee. His performance in Shame is incredible, and Clooney’s performance in The Descendants paled in comparison to his Golden Globe-nominated turn in Michael Clayton (when he rightfully lost to Daniel Day-Lewis).

Best Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical
50/50
The Artist * Boom.
Bridesmaids
Midnight in Paris
My Week With Marilyn

Toughest category to predict, probably. I think The Artist gets the win here (even though I haven’t yet seen it), but Midnight in Paris and Bridesmaids could easily win, as well. Of the four films I did see in this category, 50/50 was probably my favourite, just narrowly besting My Week With Marilyn.

Best Performance By An Actress in A Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical
Jodie Foster, Carnage
Charlize Theron, Young Adult 
Kristen Wiig, Bridesmaids
Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn * A worthy winner.
Kate Winslet, Carnage

Again, I’m poorly equipped for this category, but my suspicion is that Charlize Theron has the inside track in this one.

Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical
Jean Dujardin, The Artist * I was right!
Brendan Gleeson, The Guard
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 50/50
Ryan Gosling, Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Owen Wilson, Midnight in Paris

Easiest category to predict? I don’t think anyone else has a chance against Jean Dujardin.

Best Animated Feature Film
The Adventures of Tintin * Surprising, but more deserving than Rango.
Arthur Christmas
Cars 2
Puss in Boots
Rango

Another tough one, mostly since I enjoyed neither Rango nor The Adventures of Tintin, but my guess is that Rango takes the honours.

Best Foreign Language Film
The Flowers of War (China)
In the Land of Blood and Honey (USA)
The Kid With A Bike (Belgium)
A Separation (Iran) * Iran! Iran!
The Skin I Live In (Spain)

Based on awards-season buzz, my guess is A Separation. Really wish I had seen The Skin I Live In, though.

Best Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role In A Motion Picture
Berenice Bejo, The Artist
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer, The Help * See? I’m not that bad!
Shailene Woodley, The Descendants 

Octavia Spencer appears to have the award locked. She was good in The Help, but I really wish the film itself was better.

Best Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role In A Motion Picture 
Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn 
Albert Brooks, Drive
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Viggo Mortensen, A Dangerous Method 
Christopher Plummer, Beginners * Really happy he won.

Although I loved Albert Brooks in Drive, Christopher Plummer was fantastic in Beginners. It’s a shame the film hasn’t received more attention this year.

Best Director – Motion Picture
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
George Clooney, The Ides of March 
Michel Hazanvicius, The Artist 
Alexander Payne, The Descendants
Martin Scorsese, Hugo * Well, I guess I was wrong.

Well, this is tough, but I think Michel Hazanvicius wins over Martin Scorsese mostly for being so daring with The Artist (even though it’s the only film of the five nominees that I haven’t actually seen). Woody Allen and Alexander Payne are both dark horse contenders, but I think they only really have a chance if either of their films win its respective Best Motion Picture category.

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris * Hmm. Interesting win.
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon, The Ides of March
Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist 
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, The Descendants
Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin, Moneyball

I love Aaron Sorkin, but The Descendants was a great script. I suspect it’ll get the nod.

Best Original Score – Motion Picture
Ludovic Bource, The Artist * Good? Good.
Abel Korzeniowski, W.E.
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Howard Shore, Hugo
John Williams, War Horse 

Another category I’m poorly equipped for. You can’t go wrong betting on John Williams, though, right?

Best Original Song – Motion Picture
“Hello Hello” - Gnomeo & Juliet
“The Keeper” - Machine Gun Preacher
“Lay Your Head Down” - Albert Nobbs
“The Living Proof” - The Help
“Masterpiece” - W.E. * Sure.

Umm…sure.

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I’m surprised I haven’t posted this in the past, but this is one of my favourite films, 7:35 de la Mañana (7:35 in the Morning), by Spanish director Nacho Vigalondo, nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the 2004 Academy Awards (click on the CC in the bottom right of the YouTube player to enable English subtitles):

I’ve also seen the short film that won the Oscar that year, Wasp, by English director Andrea Arnold, but I heavily favour 7:35 de la Mañana. (Wasp is available on Vimeo)

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This is probably only going to be of interest to people from Halifax, but the old building that currently houses CD Plus on Barrington Street has been targeted for redevelopment.

The proposal for the new building, owned by Toronto developer Starfish Properties, has been designed by Halifax architecture firm Lydon Lynch. The final construction is intended to sport approximately 2000 square feet of street-level retail topped by five floors of office space and a rooftop terrace. Not too shabby.

I spent a lot of time in this area growing up, and it excites me to see that the street’s long-promised revitalization is slowly starting to take shape. Let’s hope they’re able to move forward with this building quickly.

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ESPN is reporting that Jerry Colangelo will “announce the 18 players who will be candidates for the Olympic team by the middle of this month.”

They go on to say that only players from the 2008 Olympic roster and 2010 World Championship roster will be considered, with the addition of Blake Griffin. That’s a pool of 25 players from which 18 must be selected. The article goes on to say that four of those players, Carlos Boozer, Tayshaun Prince, Michael Redd, and Jason Kidd, have been ruled out of consideration for the 18 player pool.

Here’s the 2008 Olympic roster:

• Carlos Boozer
• Carmelo Anthony
• Chris Bosh
• Chris Paul
• Deron Williams
• Dwight Howard
• Dwyane Wade
• Jason Kidd
• Kobe Bryant
• LeBron James
• Michael Redd
• Tayshaun Prince

And here’s the 2012 World Championship roster:

• Andre Iguodala
• Chauncey Billups
• Danny Granger
• Derrick Rose
• Eric Gordon
• Kevin Durant
• Kevin Love
• Lamar Odom
• Rudy Gay
• Russell Westbrook
• Stephen Curry
• Tyson Chandler

Let’s assume the top 8 spots go to:

• Carmelo Anthony
• Chris Paul
• Derrick Rose
• Dwight Howard
• Dwyane Wade
• Kevin Durant
• Kobe Bryant
• LeBron James

That leaves 10 roster spots to fill from the following players:

• Andre Iguodala
• Blake Griffin
• Chauncey Billups
• Chris Bosh
• Danny Granger
• Deron Williams
• Eric Gordon
• Kevin Love
• Lamar Odom
• Rudy Gay
• Russell Westbrook
• Stephen Curry
• Tyson Chandler

I don’t think the old guys will come along, so that gets rid of Billups and Odom. Meaning, really, that there’s only one player that they need to exclude from the list that they’re about to announce. My guess? Danny Granger. But that’s just me.

Much more interesting is which four players they’d select to round out the final 12 man roster, to complement the 8 I shortlisted above. I think they need size up front and a third ball handler, so it’s going to be Blake Griffin, Deron Williams, Kevin Love, and Tyson Chandler, meaning that former Raptor Chris Bosh will not be selected for the 2012 team.

Unless, of course, there’s an injury.

Related posts:
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USA vs China, Men’s Basketball – Live blogging the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China
Iran vs Russia, Men’s Basketball – Live blogging the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China

I’ve returned to The Daily Show over the past year, and I have to say, nearly 13 years after first taking over for Craig Kilborn, Stewart and his teams of writers and correspondents still manage to knock it out of the park on a nightly basis. It’s without a doubt one of the best TV shows we’ve had over the past decade. Their ability to identify and expose absurdity, day in, day out, is, as far as I can tell, without parallel. Good on’ em.

Here’s the All-American Muslim segment from last night:

And here’s a clip from All-American Muslim itself:

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