Flashback Classics: EPMD - You Gots To Chill

Nike LeBron 9 “China”

The Nike LeBron 9 “China” is one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year. Scheduled to drop on October 1 as an Asia exclusive, many sneakerheads have expressed extreme disappointment that the colorway will not hit U.S. retailers. Today, another side-view image has surfaced giving a better look at this orange and blue pair. NiceKicks

OnStar invades privacy

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The OnStar automobile communication service used by 6 million Americans maintains its two-way connection with a customer even after the service is discontinued, while reserving the right to sell data from that connection. U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York says that's a blatant invasion of privacy and is calling on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate. But OnStar says former customers can stop the two-way transmission, and no driving data of customers has been shared or sold.

"OnStar is attempting one of the most brazen invasions of privacy in recent memory," said Schumer, a Democrat. "I urge OnStar to abandon. But the General Motors Corp. OnStar service says customers are thoroughly informed of the new practice. If a customer says he or she doesn't want to have data collected after service is ended, OnStar disconnects the tracking. And although OnStar reserves the right to share or sell data on customers' speed, location, use of seat belts and other practices, a spokesman says it hasn't done so and doesn't plan to. A week ago, OnStar changed its policy and began continuing the connection for ex-customers unless they asked for it to be discontinued.

KICKS ON CELEBS: Sep 17th - John Wall, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Hart...

Juelz Santana in the Nike Air Max 2011 Navy/Teal & Jim Jones in the Foamposite x Nike Air Force 1 Silver/Black

Carmelo Anthony in the Air Jordan 11 "Space Jam" & LeBron James in the Nike Toki Brown/White

John Wall in the Reebok Zig Encore 2 "Grown Ass Man"

Jerry Ferrara in the Nike SB Dunk Low "Loon"

Carmelo Anthony in the YSL Malibu Hi-Top Green/White

Carmelo Anthony in the YSL Mojave Leopard Printed Cowhide Leopard/White

Theophilus London in the Air Jordan 3 Black/Cement

Diddy in the Air Jordan 5 Black/Metallic Silver

Jim Jones in the Air Jordan 3 "Fire Red"

Tinie Tempah in the Air Jordan 5 Black/Metallic Silver

Freekey Zekey in the Nike Zoom LeBron Solider V "Iguana" & Jim Jones in the Nike Air Max 2009 Leather Black/Yellow

Theophilus London in the Air Jordan 5 Black/Metallic Silver

Chuck D in the adidas Commander Lite TD White/Black & Flavor Flav in the Air Jordan 15 SE Black/White

Wiz Khalifa in the Air Jordan 7 "Raptor" DMP

Kevin Hart in Christian Louboutin Sneakers

BOX OFFICE REPORT: Sep 9th - 11th Weekend

Overall sales for all receipts gathered up only $77 million, with the winner Contagion taking down $23.1 million of it. The Steven Soderbergh-directed easily won over the competition, with reigning champion The Help dropping down to 2^nd after three consecutive victories. The action-thriller which stars Matt Damon and Marion Cotillard jumped out to an early lead by taking down $8.0 million on Friday and led the race onward through Sunday’s estimates by averaging a respectable $7,180 per showing on 3,222 theaters across the nation. With a budget around the $60 million mark, WB’s vp of domestic distribution Jeff Goldstein seems pleased with the opening bow. 

Landing in the 2^nd place spot is the former reigning champion, The Help. After winning three consecutive victories at the box office, the drama found another $8.6 million in its fifth frame and increased its domestic gross to $137.0 million. Co-produced by Participant Media---the same company who co-produced Contagion---the film’s budget sits at only $25 million so the drama is shaping up to be one of the most profitable dramas of the year. The film also has another $3.7 million from early foreign showings, making for a global tally of $140.7 million.

Lionsgate had the other new wide release for this report, with their sports action tale Warrior opening up to a score of $5.6 million in receipts. The film only showed in 1,869 venues over its first three days so its numbers represent an average of $3,000 per showing with those who did buy a ticket. While the release scored lower than the projected $8 million that the studio predicted, LGF chief David Spitz told the trades they’re focusing on what lies ahead. Focusing on the mixed martial arts phenomenon, the film played well to younger males, with 66% being that gender while 51% were under the age of 25. The budget for the release is set at only $25 million. Mania.com

Rank	Movie	Weekend	Theaters	Average	Total	Budget
1	Contagion	$23.1 mil	3,222	$7,180	$23.1 mil	$60
2	The Help	$8.6 mil	2,935	$2,961	$137.0 mil	$25
3	Warrior	$5.6 mil	1,869	$3,000	$5.6 mil	$25
4	The Debt	$4.9 mil	1,874	$2,617	$21.9 mil	$20
5	Colombiana	$4.0 mil	2,354	$1,699	$29.7 mil	$40
6	Rise of the Planet of the Apes	$3.8 mil	2,887	$1,342	$167.8 mil	$93
7	Shark Night 3D	$3.5 mil	2,848	$1,241	$14.7 mil	$25
8	Apollo 18	$2.9 mil	3,330	$875	$15.0 mil	$5
9	Our Idiot Brother	$2.7 mil	2,396	$1,152	$21.4 mil	$5
10	Spy Kids 4	$2.5 mil	2,544	$985	$34.2 mil	$27

 

'Spartacus' star Whitfield dies of lymphoma at 39

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andy Whitfield, who played the title role in the hit cable series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," has died at age 39, according to representatives and family. Whitfield died Sunday in Sydney, Australia, 18 months after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, manager Sam Maydew told the Associated Press. "On a beautiful sunny Sydney spring morning, surrounded by his family, in the arms of his loving wife, our beautiful young warrior Andy Whitfield lost his 18 month battle with lymphoma cancer," Whitfield's wife Vashti said in a statement. "He passed peacefully surrounded by love. Thank you to all his fans whose love and support have help carry him to this point. He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband he was."

Andy Whitfield — who was born in Wales and moved to Australia in 1999 — was a virtual unknown when he was cast as the legendary Thracian slave in "Spartacus," a role made famous by Kirk Douglas in the 1960 Stanley Kubrick film. The series proved a breakout hit for the Starz network and made waves with its graphic violence and sexuality. Whitfield appeared in all 13 episodes of the first season that aired in 2010, and was preparing to shoot the second when he was diagnosed with cancer. While waiting for Whitfield's treatment and expected recovery, the network produced a six-part prequel, "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," that aired earlier this year with only a brief voiceover from the actor. But in January after Whitfield's condition grew worse, the network announced that another Australian actor, Liam McIntyre, would take over the role.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Andy Whitfield," Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht said in a statement Sunday night. "We were fortunate to have worked with Andy in 'Spartacus' and came to know that the man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own life." Whitfield's previous credits included appearances on the Australian TV shows "Packed to the Rafters" and "McLeod's Daughters."

Newly found 'super-Earth' could potentially support life

 

More than 50 new alien planets — including one so-called super-Earth that could potentially support life — have been discovered by an exoplanet-hunting telescope from the European Southern Observatory (ESO). The newfound haul of alien planets includes 16 super-Earths, which are potentially rocky worlds that are more massive than our planet. One in particular - called HD 85512 b - has captured astronomers' attention because it orbits at the edge of its star's habitable zone, suggesting conditions could be ripe to support life. 

The potentially habitable super-Earth, officially called HD 85512 b, is estimated to be only 3.6 times more massive than Earth, and its parent star is located about 35 light-years away, making it relatively nearby. HD 85512 b was found to orbit at the edge of its star's habitable zone, which is a narrow region in which the distance is just right that liquid water could exist given the right conditions. Astronomers have previously discovered 564 confirmed alien planets, with roughly 1,200 additional candidate worlds under investigation based on data from the Kepler space observatory, according to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. Space.com

 

Laser-Powered Headlights Coming to BMW

BMW i8 Concept Car

BMW is working on laser-powered headlights that could debut in vehicles "within a few years," the German automaker announced on Sept. 6. "After LED technology, laser light is the next logical step in car light development," the company said in a statement.

The laser diodes powering the next generation of headlights will have an intensity that is 1,000 times greater than conventional light emitting diode, or LED, technology but consume only half the energy. Laser diodes will also be about 100 times smaller than the small, square-shaped LED cells. While it would theoretically be possible for BMW to reduce the size of headlights using laser diodes, the carmaker says it currently has no plans to do that.
Instead, "the size advantages could be used to reduce the depth of the headlight unit, and so open up new possibilities for headlight positioning and body styling," BMW said. The light from the laser diodes is blue but will be converted into a pure white light that is "suitable for use in road traffic,” BMW said. This conversion also makes the laser light safe for humans and animals. The laser headlights are expected to make their first appearance in the BMW concept vehicle, the BMW i8. Technews Daily

Nike Might Release Futuristic Marty McFly Shoe

Michael J. Fox with the Air Mag in Back to the Future

The second installment of the "Back to the Future" franchise took movie-goers to 2015, and Nike might be planning to make one high-tech prediction from that movie come true a few years early. Nope, not flying cars. Instead, Nike could be planning to release a replica of the self-lacing sneakers Marty McFly wore in "Back to the Future II." The release of the Air MAG isn't official, but Nike has sent out some pretty heavy-handed hints.

Nike Air Mag - Back to the Future

First, Frank Marshall, one of the original producers of the movies, tweeted that a big announcement was coming, followed by a hashtag with the initials "BTTF." Next, Nike sent out an invite for a press event today that hints the Air MAG might be coming. Finally, and most convincingly, Marshall tweeted again, saying we'd all "need a lot of hover boards," followed by a link to the YouTube video below, which quite obviously contains a room packed with Nike Air MAG shoes.

While the design isn't exactly in line with current trends, the "self-lacing" feature, in which the shoe automatically tightens itself around the wearer's foot, has enticed many a consumer since it wowed movie-goers in 1989. Many people have already expressed enormous excitement about the futuristic design, meaning it could be a hit for Nike. Nike filed a patent for self-tightening laces last year, suggesting the shoe may have been in development for some time now. MadOne

Murphy Hosting 84th Academy Awards

After a few days on the rumor vine, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially confirmed that Eddie Murphy will be hosting their 84th Academy Awards next year. Sound off below with your thoughts on whether this was a good (or bad) decision. Here's the official announcement. Oscar® nominee Eddie Murphy, whose performing career spans movies, television and the stage, will host this year's Academy Awards show on Sunday, February 26, 2012, telecast producers Brett Ratner and Don Mischer announced today. This will be Murphy's first hosting stint on the Oscars®. 


Murphy began his career at the age of 15 as a stand-up comedian. In 1980, at the age of 19, he joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live," becoming the show's youngest cast member to that point, and bringing to life many of the show's most memorable characters. His 1983 album "Eddie Murphy: Comedian" won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording. It included portions of his groundbreaking HBO special "Eddie Murphy Delirious." In 1987, Eddie Murphy Raw was theatrically released and went on to gross over $50 million. Murphy made his feature film debut in 1982 with the classic 48 Hrs. and would go on to star in such box-office hits as Beverly Hills Cop and the "The Nutty Professor" and "Shrek" franchises. All told, movies in which he has performed have earned in excess of $7 billion worldwide during their theatrical releases.Murphy earned an Oscar nomination in 2006 for his supporting role in Dreamgirls. MadOne

Tanks test infra-red invisibility cloak

 

Tanks could soon get night time invisibility thanks to a cloaking device that masks their infra-red signature. Developed by BAE Systems, the Adaptiv technology allows vehicles to mimic the temperature of their surroundings. It can also make a tank look like other objects, such as a cow or car, when seen through heat-sensitive ‘scopes. Researchers are looking at ways to make it work with other wavelengths of light to confer true invisibility.

Hiding out
The hi-tech camouflage uses hexagonal panels or pixels made of a material that can change temperature very quickly. About 1,000 pixel panels, each of which is 14cm across, are needed to cover a small tank. The panels are driven by on-board thermal cameras that constantly image the ambient temperature of the tank’s surroundings. This is projected on to the panels to make it harder to spot. The cameras can also work when the tank is moving. InfoWars

IRS Shake down coming?

Imagine this scenario: The IRS may soon just do your taxes for you — and send you the bill. If this sounds farfetched, it’s not. With a new congressional “super committee” tasked with finding $1.5 trillion in cuts by November, creative ways to find additional revenue are in high demand. And allowing the IRS to prepare you taxes could be one solution. The idea has been around for a while, but has been picking up steam in recent years. In 2006, Senate  Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) argued it would close a $345 billion annual difference between what the government believes taxpayers owe them and what the IRS actually collects, which he calls the “tax gap.” 

But this isn’t just an idea floated by senators and presidential advisers. While running for president, then-Sen. Barack Obama touted it during a 2007 speech at the Tax Policy Institute: “The government already collects wage and bank account information,” he said, “so there’s no reason the IRS can’t send Americans pre-filled tax forms to verify.” While the notion of allowing government to encroach on yet another aspect of our lives might sound like a hard sell, members of the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) believe this is a very real threat. InfoWars

Jordan Melo M8 Black/Silver

Flywire, patent leather, and visible Air offer something for everybody on the Jordan Melo M8 Black/Silver. A predominately black upper sees an array of textures with Jumpman logo popping off. High-rise midsole and aggressive outsole finish off the latest in the Melo line. MadOne

Jordan Melo M8
Black/Silver
469786-001

 

BOX OFFICE REPORT: Labor Day Weekend

The Help is the top performer once again in theaters by taking down another $14.2 million in estimated receipts. With tomorrow’s labor day numbers projected to push it to around $18 million for the four-day weekend, it’s enough for a win and has increased its domestic score to $118.6 million after four frames. It’s turning out to be a very profitable run for the studio and co-distributor DreamWorks, with the team managing to keep their budget down to only $25 million in coin. And they hope to stay steady these next few weekends as they push their film into different markets. 

 

Hot off strong word of mouth and an early Wednesday launch, Focus Features and Miramax launched their down drama into theaters this weekend with The Debt. The film landed in 2^nd place for its first wide weekend with an estimated payday of $9.7 million over the weekend and $11.5 million over the five-day tally. Studio projections have it drawing another $3 million by the closing of the holiday tomorrow, finishing the four-day premiere with around $12.2 million. 

 

Apollo 18 is clocking in at $8.7 million and while that sounds like an unfriendly debut for any release, there is a plus for the Weinsteins in that they only shelled out $5 million for their budget. So it’s a decent release for the studio even if they expected more for the holiday. Projections had it coming in somewhere between $11 million and $14 million.  The film’s opening audience was 59% percent male, with 64% of those buying tickets being over the age of 25.

 

 

At its rear is Relativity Media’s 3D release of Shark Night. The horror film which appealed to the teenage audience in its ads and was directed by Final Destination helmer David R. Ellis grabbed an estimated $8.64 million in ticket sales over the weekend, with projections having it clock in at around $10.5 million by tomorrow evening. Produced at a cost of nearly $30 million---financed and produced by Incentive Filmed Entertainment and Sierra/Affinity---the film played primarily for young males with 53% of its audience being of the male persuasion. And 57% of its Friday ticket buyers being under the age of 25. Mania.com

 

Rank	Movie	Weekend	Theaters	Average	Total	Budget
1	The Help	$14.2 mil	2,843	$4,998	$118.6 mil	$25
2	The Debt	$9.6 mil	1,826	$5,300	$11.5 mil	----
3	Apollo 18	$8.7 mil	3,328	$2,614	$8.7 mil	$5
4	Shark Night 3D	$8.6 mil	2,806	$3,079	$8.6 mil	$29
5	Rise of the Planet of the Apes	$7.8 mil	3,193	$2,443	$160.0 mil	$93
6	Colombiana	$7.4 mil	2,614	$2,831	$21.9 mil	$40
7	Our Idiot Brother	$5.1 mil	2,555	$2,028	$15.4 mil	$5
8	Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark	$4.9 mil	2,780	$1,777	$16.3 mil	$25
9	Spy Kids 4	$4.6 mil	3,007	$1,542	$29.0 mil	$27
10	The Smurfs	$4.0 mil	2,706	$1,478	$131.9 mil	$110