WEIRDLAND

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Aaron Swartz (The Idealist), Mr. Robot (Season 2 Trailer): Hacker Connection Changing the World

The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) was the law that prosecutors deployed against Aaron Swartz, an internet activist who killed himself after a years-long legal battle centered around his decision to mass download academic journals. Swartz was hit with the law after he entered a network closet at MIT and mass downloaded millions of academic journals from JSTOR, a company that generally charges for access. Swartz was charged with essentially violating the terms of service of JSTOR; because the CFAA was applied, he faced years in prison. Swartz ultimately killed himself after a plea deal was rejected by prosecutors. Source: europe.newsweek.com

Aaron Swartz wanted to make the world a better place. Growing up in a computer-friendly home at the dawn of the internet era, he quickly became proficient in programming and coding and began to see all the possibilities that the online world could offer. The computer prodigy dropped out of North Shore Country Day after 9th grade. Why waste time in organized schooling when there was so much else that could be accomplished online? It became a pattern: Swartz later dropped out of Stanford after feeling discontent with the level of academic rigor. Eventually, he also left a lucrative job in Silicon Valley to pursue a career in activism. Source: www.techrepublic.com

David Foster Wallace was Swartz’s favorite fiction writer. He had started unraveling David Foster Wallace’s notoriously dense novel Infinite Jest. “He spent, like, entire weekends where he was mostly working on this plot summary of Infinite Jest,” Taren Stinebrickner-Kauffman recalled. “He loved taking complex narratives and distilling their essences.” At the beginning of 2011, in a capsule review of a book about the Toyota Motor Corporation, Swartz wrote that “lean production” was “undoubtedly the greatest human art form,” “with sex running a close second,” he clarified. -"The Idealist: Aaron Swartz and the Rise of Free Culture on the Internet" (2016) by Justin Peters

Justin Peters: -It would be very hard to argue that the internet is more free right now than it was in 2003 in America. The thing that separated Aaron and how he chose to live his life from the rest of us was more sort of a lifelong conscious choice to work against his own best interests. That’s something we could all chose to do. By working against his own best interests, I mean that he was in Silicon Valley at the birth of social web. He was one of the first startups. Before he died, Aaron was working on this project called Secure Drop, which was a tool for leakers or whistleblowers to be able to securely and anonymously leak information. I think he would have been inspired by Snowden and probably would have tried to help empower other potential Snowdens out there. I think Snowden certainly falls in the same line of Swartz and the other data idealists. Source: www.inverse.com

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley play Edward Snowden and Lindsay Mills in "Snowden" (2016) directed by Oliver Stone


'Mr. Robot' Season 2 Trailer Promises to Change the World. "The truth is, we have more power than they think. The power to take action, to choose to do something," his character says. "Together, we change the world, change our future, and there's nothing they can do to stop us."

Rami Malek photographed by Eric Ray Davidson for The Hollywood Reporter (April 2016).

It sounds as if Elliott (Rami Malek) will be trying to galvanize potential followers into further action. "Elliott committed a crime in the first season, and we're gonna see the ramifications of that in the second season, I think that drives a lot about what the second season's all about," creator and showrunner Sam Esmail said. "And that's why there's the introduction of law enforcement that was kind of intentionally not shown in the first season, so that opens a whole new dimension there. And really I think the second season is about [Elliott and Mr. Robot] - that internal struggle, what does that look like, and how are they going to reconcile it?" "Mr. Robot" will return to USA Network for a second season this summer. Source: www.hngn.com

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Shailene Woodley ("Be My Angel") video


Shailene Woodley ("Be My Angel") video.

Soundtrack: "Hippie Girl" by Ricky Ross, "Baby Baby" by The Vibrators and "Be My Angel" by Mazzy Star.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Miles Teller's and Shailene Woodley's first sex scene, "You Got What It Takes" video

James Ponsoldt (director of The Spectacular Now) was worried that Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley wouldn't get along after he saw them interact at a lunch he arranged. Teller was outgoing and energetic, while Woodley, though amused by Teller, was quiet and for the most part kept to herself unless she was spoken to. After the lunch was over and the director was driving away, he noticed Woodley and Teller talking in the parking lot - he later found out that the two of them spent two hours talking and getting to know each other. Teller and Woodley became close friends.

The Spectacular Now (2013) includes both Miles Teller's and Shailene Woodley's first sex scene. The sex scene was shot in a single, unbroken take that lasts well over two minutes.
Source: www.imdb.com

Sutter’s misadventures aren’t always benign, nor is the influence he has on his circle of friends entirely positive. He’s a good guy with a big heart, but, as his boss explains, he “just doesn't have a firm grasp on the concept of consequences.” In other words, an extremely tricky part to play in a movie. All of us were well aware if we didn’t get the right actor, we were dead in the water. Thank heaven for Miles Teller. But the role of Sutter required him to be charming, seductive, sweet, cutting, sarcastic, vulnerable, angry, and dangerous—often all at once. Source: www.thedailybeast.com

Shailene Woodley in Glamour (Netherlands) magazine, April 2016.

Miles Teller in Alpha magazine, 2015.


Miles Teller ("You Got What It Takes") video.

Adaptations from book to screen: 11.22.63 (James Franco) and The Spectacular Now (Miles Teller)

Hulu's miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's 11.22.63 released its final episode on Monday, a climax that saw James Franco's Jake make his attempt to prevent the assassination of President Kennedy, get a glimpse at how his actions changed the future and make a difficult decision involving Sadie (Sarah Gadon). While showrunner Bridget Carpenter and the series' production team had to make many changes from King's bestseller, the book's romantic, but profoundly bittersweet, ending was left intact, a rarity when it comes to King adaptations. Source: www.hollywoodreporter.com


11.22.63 - Ending Scene featuring James Franco as Jake Epping & Sarah Gadon as Sadie Dunhill.


Miles Teller: "Acting is such a high art, and coming from theater, I know how hard it is and respect the craft. I want to look back when it ends, and say I challenged myself. I wanted to be an actor you always remember, and those who are the great ones. That's just a personal journey that it's just you and your internal drive. The Spectacular Now was the best script I'd ever read. It had all those elements in it. He's a cool charming guy but with a lot of depth. In a lot shallower script, you wouldn't see the problems he's having, or the fact that he's searching for a father figure, and the broken home life that's revealed, and looking for guidance in life while just having that empty feeling. Sutter in the book is painted differently than how I was playing him. I was actually struggling to finish the entire book because I could see my image of Sutter getting a bit warped.

I tried to steer clear of it in the end. But it's such a well-written book. He says things like "I'm the Sutterman" and "Fabioloso" - I tried to work those things into the movie, but I couldn't say them with a straight face. Then a year later it came around again with James Ponsoldt, we met in a bar and had a couple drinks, and I got it I was excited, but nervous about being able to do it. It's for mature audiences even though it seems like a young adult story. It reminds you of your first love, that time in your life."

Miles Teller is magnetic. He's only been in a few movies - and a couple of those we will kindly skip over when doing future retrospectives about him - but in each of them he has been the beating heart of warmth, humanity and - most unusual these days - sheer naturalism. You don't even see Teller acting, he just is the character. Which means those who know him from Rabbit Hole or the surprisingly excellent Footloose remake will still be surprised by his performance as Sutter, the always buzzed, always cool boy at the heart of The Spectacular Now. It's a great role, and one that Teller invests with an extraordinary amount of nuance and truth. Source: www.esquire.com


Miles Teller "Tell Him" video. Roughly half an hour of pictures of Milles Teller, his co-stars (Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Anna Kendrick, Mackenzie Davis, Analeigh Tipton, etc.) and girlfriend Keleigh Sperry. Soundtrack: "Tell Him" by The Exciters, "Photograph" & "Smile" by Weezer, "Let It Bleed" by The Rolling Stones, "I Got Stung" & "Stuck on You" by Elvis Presley, "Crazy About My Baby" by Randy Newman, and "Ooh Wee Baby" by Jeff Barry.

Tuesday, April 05, 2016

Miles Teller, Bradley Cooper, and their Hot Model Girlfriends Keleigh Sperry and Irina Shayk

Miles Teller and Jonah Hill in "War Dogs" (2016)

A bidding war between several studios and major financiers is under way for Max Landis‘ spec script “Deeper,” which now has Bradley Cooper attached to star and Kornel Mundruczo (“White God”) attached to direct. “Deeper” is a drama about a disgraced astronaut who embarks on a mission to reach the bottom of a newly-discovered oceanic trench, which some speculate may be the lowest point on Earth. Facing great danger, he quickly finds himself in a physical and psychological fight against mysterious forces.Cooper recently starred in “Joy” and “Burnt,” and will soon be seen alongside Jonah Hill and Miles Teller in Todd Phillips‘ “War Dogs,” which he also produced. Additionally, he has lent his voice to a trio of films — “10 Cloverfield Lane,” “A Dog’s Purpose” and Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” in which he’ll return as Rocket the raccoon. The movie’s expected to shoot in the first or second quarter of 2017. Source: www.thewrap.com

Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk have been dating since April of 2015, meaning they are fast approaching their one-year anniversary. 

And in that one year, they’ve quickly ascended to becoming serious contenders for Hollywood’s hottest couple. After a year of courting, romantic outings, media appearances, and rumors of breakups, what does the next year together hold for this beloved pair?

Bradley Cooper, who most recently had a vocal cameo in 10 Cloverfield Lane and will soon be providing his voice once again to Rocket Raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, met Irina Shayk—a model whose full name is Irina Valeryevna Shaykhlislamova—following the two having both come out of long-term relationships. Cooper had just split from longtime girlfriend Suki Waterhouse (also a model) in February 2015, though the two chose to remain friends; meanwhile, Shayk had just called it quits with soccer megastar Cristiano Ronaldo following Christmas and allegations that Ronaldo had cheated on her. Source: www.earnthenecklace.com

Bradley Cooper and Miles Teller are hot properties right now, both versatile actors with comedic wit and unconventional heartthrob looks. Also, both share hard work ethics, admiration for Martin Scorsese and love for feisty model girls. Teller isn't a fan of Las Vegas blonde plastic look, though. He never dated co-star Shailene Woodley because: "She would probably be repulsed by the thought. She saw me eat a Honey Bun two years ago."

-What's the best advice you've ever received about women? -My dad always told me, "One in the hand is worth two in the bush." Source: www.elle.com

Miles Teller with Martin Scorsese.

Martin Scorsese with Bradley Cooper.

Another interesting thing is both having famous 'movie wives': Jennifer Lawrence and Shailene Woodley respectively, who are the famous leading women from the dystopic sagas "The Hunger Games" (Katniss) and "Divergent" (Tris).

Jennifer Lawerence with Bradley Cooper attending the premiere of "Joy" in New York.

Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley attending the premiere of "The Divergent Series: Insurgent" in New York.

Before Irina, Bradley Cooper had dated British model Suki Waterhouse for two years (2013-2015).

Miles Teller started dating model Keleigh Sperry in 2013. The pair have attended numerous red carpets together, and love snapping seriously cute selfies! Miles recently opened up about how close he and his girlfriend are, and how much he loves when she visits him at work! He revealed, "She's lovely. It's been pretty easy because right now, her full-time gig is kind of being with me and before her, I would never invite a girl into that world because I didn't think I could have both."

"She's allowed me to be able to really focus on acting and do what I want to do. She can come to set and visit me and hang out and doesn't really distract me from it." That's cute that Keleigh gets to spend so much time with her handsome beau! Miles also spilled about all of Keleigh's Instagram snaps of them, "She does have a very active Instagram account so people can see where I'm at. Probably too much. What are you going to do? I'm not going to stop traveling because she likes Instagram." Source: www.j-14.com

Keleigh Sperry reminds me a bit of Denise Richards mixed with French singer and dancer Alizée:
Specially in these photos Keleigh bears a resemblance to a young Denise Richards:
Keleigh Sperry worked for One 1. Modeling Agency and APA Talent.
Keleigh considers Miles one of her "best friends."

Out of  all of his co-stars to date,  I think  Miles Teller has shown the most sincere chemistry  with Shailene Woodley (in "The Spectacular Now"), although he gave off fervent sparks with Analeigh Tipton in "Two Night Stand", with Mackenzie Davis in "That Awkward Moment" and with Anna Kendrick in "Get a Job."  See below picture of  Miles Teller  between co-star  Anna Kendrick  and girlfriend Keleigh Sperry:

Anna Kendrick, Miles Teller and Keleigh Sperry attending the celebration by Giorgio Armani in Beverly Hills of Martin Scorsese's Academy Awards nomination, 2014.

Some of my favorite snapshots of Miles Teller and his girlfriend Keleigh Sperry (real life chemistry):


Keleigh Sperry video. Soundtrack: "Pretty Girl", "Twenty Flight Rock" & "Something Else" by Eddie Cochran.

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Two Night Stand: online romance, Miles Teller (Moonlight Miles) video


Modern dating is a jungle of random hook-ups, Internet dating sites with questionable profiles, and other hurdles When Harry Met Sally never had to contend with. 

First-time director Max Nichols (son of director Mike Nichols) chose wisely with his leads, Miles Teller and the lesser-known but bubbly Analeigh Tipton. She makes for an unconventional romantic lead which works because the same applies to Teller, an actor who has shown incredible range in more serious films in the past. Nichols and screenwriter Mark Hammer have an ear for millennial lingo, crucial considering the film is basically a two-hander set in one cramped apartment. Megan hits an online dating site for a quick hook-up, something she's never done before. She quickly meets Alec (Teller), who seems to be exactly what she's looking for; meaning he's cute, uncommitted, and not a serial killer. A quick scan via webcam confirms no bodies hanging on his apartment walls.

It's not until the film takes a more serious turn that Nichols and Hammer start dropping a few pearls. A frank conversation about men and women helping one another have better sex has some real insights. And once we see Megan and Alec put all of their emotional cards on the table it also opens up the performances by Teller and Tipton. Both strike a believable vulnerability as two people who have been bruised by love and are reluctant to give it another shot. Teller seems to be able to build chemistry with anybody, a rare talent that should take him far. Tipton has the much flakier role to play and she manages to be endearing rather than irritating. Ultimately, Two Night Stand is about the way such people use whatever is at their disposal to protect themselves from more hurt. Sometimes that's a convenient half-truth, or a dating profile that needs an update. Source: www.examiner.com


Miles Teller "Midnight Miles" video. Soundtrack: "Stuck on You," "I Got Stung," "Got a Lot O' Livin' To Do" & "Paralyzed" by Elvis Presley, "Moonlight Mile" by The Rolling Stones, and "You Never Know" by Wilco.

Nearly 40 million Americans utilize online dating sites. California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris partnered with three major dating sites — EHarmony, Match.com, and Spark Networks — to create company guidelines that would make online dating safe for its users. There is a misconception that these relationships are doomed to fail, but the survey showed that couples who met online were less likely to divorce than those who met through traditional methods. Only 5.96 percent of relationships that began online ended in divorce or separation. Of those who remained married, they reported higher levels of satisfaction than those who met offline. Source: www.inquisitr.com

Michael Rosenfeld: -One of the things I have found out as part of my research is that people who meet online actually progress to marriage faster than people who meet offline. If you look at the couples who stay together, about half of the couples who meet through online dating have transitioned to marriage by year four of the relationship. The need for love, romance, relationships and sex — these are pretty basic human needs. And the ability to match people who would have otherwise not found each other is a powerful outcome of the new technology. About 75 percent of the people who meet online had no prior connection. They didn’t have friends in common. They’re families didn’t know each other. So they were perfect strangers. And prior to the Internet, it was kind of hard for perfect strangers to meet.
Source: www.washingtonpost.com