A Tribute to "Divine Intervention" from Pulp Fiction...

After loads of encouragement from people online to make another tribute video, some friends and I finally took some extra time this weekend to do just that.

You may (or may not) remember the first video we ever did was called A Tribute to the Handshake in Predator... Unexpectedly, people have been viewing and telling us how much they enjoy our simple idea. In our video, we take a popular scene from a well-known film and re-shoot it. (also known as "Sweding," the term comes from the film Be Kind, Rewind. We actually came up with the idea on our own, long before the first trailer for Be Kind, Rewind was even shown in theaters.) The first video, which we shot and posted last August, has been getting LOADS of attention on Youtube and we have been getting requests to do a new one from the get go.

The original idea came from an IM conversation that I had with my friend Matt. During our conversation, I suggested that it would be hilarious if we took a scene from Predator and re-shot the whole thing, leaving only the original dialog, and one specific shot. Initially we only did it for our own enjoyment. But slowly more and more people seemed to find our little video on Youtube and watch it in growing numbers. It even got to the point where folks were constantly asking for more. That is why, Matt and I finally got together and made a new one.

As our last one paid tribute to Predator, our new one pays tribute to an equally iconic film, Pulp Fiction. More specifically, we recreated a portion of "the Bonnie Situation" scene and called it "Divine Intervention." I hope you enjoy it, just as much as our first video. Watch and leave comments if you will...

Dweebie DVDs coming soon...BOOM!

Exciting news today on the world wide interweb and it has me geeking out big time. The first item of interest is the release of the severely underrated scifi thriller Cloverfield on DVD. According to IGN, the infamous Cloverfield footage will be hitting DVD retailers Suncoast and FYE in an exclusive limited-edition release on April 22, 2008. The documentary footage of the creature's rampage will finally be made public in a crushed steel-book case. Our sources recently ventured deep inside the U.S. military to procure images of the top-secret release. If you have not seen this movie, you are really in for a treat. I promise that it is nothing like the lame Godzilla rip-off that you think it is. See for yourself, here is the teaser trailer...



On a funnier and much NERDIER note Warner Home Video will release Robot Chicken: Star Wars on DVD. The popular adult swim television series' Star Wars special will be released on July 22, 2008 and will contain bonus materials and extra features. If none of you have seen the Robot Chicken series you are missing something special. The Old-school stop-motion animation and fast-paced satire are trademarks of this eclectic show created by Seth Green and Matt Senreich. Action figures are brought to life as players in hilarious sketch-comedy bits that poke fun at TV, movies, music, and celebrities. "It's television especially formulated for the Attention Deficit Disorder generation." This special edition will make a fine addition to any Star Wars fans DVD collection. I know I will be picking it up.

AND the best for last. Many of you know that one of my favorite movies of 2008 is RAMBO. And he will FINALLY be invading stores across the United States on May 27 2008. Now all you need to do is go down to your local Best Buy, Circuit City, or where ever you buy DVDs and pick this one up. You'll seriously be doing yourself a favor. If you must only own ONE movie, this has got to be it. But don't take my word for it, take 1980's Sylvester Stallone's:

If it Bleeds, we can PAY it...

I had an interesting experience this morning on my way to work. Many of you may know, that I donate my blood plasma one to two times a week, for a little extra money to help pay the bills. I started doing this when I was a poor NBC Page trying to survive in the expensive city that is Los Angeles. The process is a pretty simple one. I show up, sit down, they stick a I.V.-looking needle in my arm, and a machine pumps out my blood. It then separates the plasma from the red blood cells and returns the red blood cells to my body and stores the plasma in a plastic bottle. And they pay me for that. It might sound kind of gruesome, but it is actually VERY easy.

Now you're probably wondering what Blood Plasma is exactly? It is the liquid component of blood, in which the blood cells are suspended. It makes up about 55% of total blood volume and let me tell you, it is valuable too. If our bodies had anything in it that could be compared to gold, plasma is it. They pay me $75 dollars a visit, and I can go up to twice a week. So I can potentially pull in about $150 a week for doing nothing.

Anyway, with that explanation out of the way, let me get to my experience. After my plasma appointment today, as usual, they wrapped up my right elbow with gauss and tape and sent me on my way. As I was driving to work, I felt an unusual sensation on my right arm. I looked down and my elbow was covered in blood. The strange sensation I was feeling was the warm, sticky fluid oozing out and running down the length of my forearm. My initial reaction was panic (but that was only because I didn't want to get any on my white shirt), but after further investigation, I found that whatever was bleeding had stopped. It didn't help that I noticed all this while I was driving on a busy LA highway, in heavy traffic to boot. Thankfully, I have suffered several horrendous injuries in my life time, so I am not weakened at the sight of blood and this experience was not traumatic, just more of an inconvenience. The bleeding had stopped long before I noticed my arm, so bleeding to death was not the concern, keeping the life-sustaining-fluid off my clothing was. Apparently fortune was smiling upon me today, for I did not get one single drop of blood on my nice white shirt. After all, the last thing I want to do is show up to work looking like I just gutted a cow (for you Megan). I did however learn a valuable lesson today, don't bleed and drive. It's too distracting to focus on the road.

You can see a bandage covering the spot on my elbow that was the source of my little episode.

Don't get your hopes up for Indy 4!

Some concerning words have sprouted online from Indy writer/producer George Lucas. In an interview Lucas expressed concern that Indiana Jones fans may have built up unrealistic expectations for his upcoming Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

"When you do a movie like this, a sequel that's very, very anticipated, people anticipate ultimately that it's going to be the Second Coming," Lucas told USA Today. "And it's not. It's just a movie. Just like the other movies. You probably have fond memories of the other movies. But if you went back and looked at them, they might not hold up the same way your memory holds up." In fact, he added, when expectations rise to such heights, "You're not going to get a lot of accolades. ... All you can do is lose."

Don't get too worried, I'm pretty sure Lucas is just saying this in the wake of what happened with Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, everyone was BEYOND stoked for its 1999 release and there was so much hype behind it. But when it finally came to theaters most people weren't happy and expected more. Lucas just doesn't want the same thing to happen to loyal Indy fans.

Another Odland making his mark...

You are looking at a picture that my little brother Tim sketched and designed for Skullcandy, a producer of headphones and other accessories. Skullcandy is best known for its products like earplugs, backpacks, and MP3 Players. Many of their headphones and earplugs use noise cancelling technology to block outside distractions while being used.

Anyway, long story short, my brother came up with this design, submitted it to the company and now they are using it on the packaging for their Ink'D line of ear buds. According to my brother, these are selling like hot cakes, the first numbers to come in showed these suckers were in their top listing.

In fact, Skullcandy is so pleased with Tim's work that they are currently considering bringing him on as a full-time artist. I will keep you in the loop as to what happens with my super talented brother.


See the packaging below, it's ALL HIM, baby! Good to see another Odland making his mark on the world. Proud of you brother!

Page Uniforms on NBC's Today Show...

If you missed it, here were the nominees for new NBC Page Uniform...


Personally, I think they should stick with the blue suit.

G.I. Joe, the real American ZERO...

It is a bit of a trip down memory lane for many of us that grew up in the '80s. I'm sure you've heard by now that Paramount and Dreamworks has decided to make G.I. Joe into a feature film. I honestly don't know what to think about this. Frankly, I think it is just another attempt for the studios to grab a HUGE chunk of money from the generation that grew up watching the cartoon and playing with the action figures. In fact, the upcoming film will most likely be LAME. After all, Stephen Sommers, who directed the awful and shameful Van Helsing, is helming this adaptation. I WILL say however that I am pretty impressed with the people they have cast. See for yourself.



One of my favorite casting decisions is that of martial artist-actor Ray Park. He has been cast as the masked and mysterious hero Snake Eyes. You might remember Park from his unforgettable role as the devious Darth Maul, from Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and the highly agile mutant, Toad, in the highly popular X-Men. In fact just yesterday, Larry Hama, the mastermind behind this new cinematic version of the Joes, sent out the first released publicity shot of Ray Park in the Snakes-Eyes costume and they are for lack of a better word "DOPE!"These photos are AWESOME, but I fear the awesomeness may just end there. I feel like I should admonish you to enjoy these photos for now, because something tells me that this movie could be, for lack of a better word, "SHIT!" G.I. Joe is out Summer 2009.

Changing the look of the NBC Page Forever?

There is a change that will be taking place in the next couple of days that I haven't decided if I like of dislike yet. Apparently, NBC has decided to change the traditional uniforms for the long running NBC Page Program. Since NBC began the Page Program in 1933, the uniform has for the most part remained unchanged. But that could all change next week (March 24, 2008). During a segment on the TODAY Show, America will vote on what the next Page uniform will look like. Apparently, Brooks Bros. has designed three different uniform variations for the east and west coast Page programs and America will get the chance to decide which outfit they like best. So be sure to tune in and do your part.

The reason I am torn on this event is mostly because of the rich history behind the Page Program. I am a purest and I would like to see the current uniform remain. It is such an honor to be selected as a Page. Thousands apply to be a page every year, but only a select few are given the opportunity to be a page. And I feel lucky to be included in this fraternity of sorts. And you know that deep down I really won't care what Pages are wearing, I will always remember my year as a page and all the wonderful experiences and people I met in the program. I just want future Pages to have the same amazing experience that I had. Long live the NBC Page.

Phil, Tom, ME and Larry Working the ROSE BOWL PARADE 2007

I'm back and FATTER than ever...

I'm officially back from my little Utah adventure weekend. It was a really fun time. I got to see a lot of old friends and eat A LOT of good food. I must say that it was good to be in old Utah. I made it a point to stop by KUTV and visit some of the people I worked with before I made the trek out here to LA. That is always fun. I will admit that I am glad that I got out of there. The people were great, but the atmosphere and the hours are brutal.

Being with my family aside, one of the best parts about being home was hanging with my friends. Like the good old days, we got together at The Pie near the University of Utah. A lot of people showed up to my surprise and we had a good old time catching up. Also, my loving family treated me to a hearty steak dinner at Diamond Lil's in celebration of my upcoming 28th birthday. It was a very gluttonous event. All I need to say is that there was enough meat and drinks to feed an entire crew of viking. (For Pie and Diamond Lil's See the pictures below.)



Turns out that my trip home was the perfect little getaway for me. It's always fun to spend a good chunk of time with my awesome family in beautiful Park City. I'll be going back soon, so if I didn't manage to see you this time around, chances are I will do so next time.

Also, today I found out that I am apparently Obese. This comes as NO surprise to me after all the food I gorged on during my little trip. This information was brought to light by my boss. No, he didn't say, "Kristian, you are sure looking super fat today." He gave me a copy of this BMI Chart that his doctor gave to him. This Body Mass Index puts you in one of three categories: "Normal," "Overweight," "Obese," and "Extremely Obese." You simply match up your height with your current weight and it tells you what category you are in. I know what your thinking, obviously, I am not obese, so it is clear that this BMI chart is not a perfect science, but it has given me even MORE motivation to cut back on the junk, eat less, and exercise more. In fact, I remember back in High School, when I was in the best shape of my life, this BMI chart still said that I was overweight. I guess it's just another part of having rich Norwegian Viking Genes coursing through my veins. See where you stand:

Mama, I'm coming home...

Today is a good day, for I am hopping on a jet plane and making my way back to my hometown. March is a big month in Odland family. Both my mother and I have birthdays, so it has always been a fun time of the year for our family.

Ever since I moved to California, March hasn't been the same, for obvious reasons, I'm here, they're there (Utah). So this year, now that I can afford it, I am flying back home to see this wild group (pictured, circa 1992). If you know me, then you will believe when I say that my family knows how to have a good time. That is why I am SO looking forward to stepping off that plane and grounding myself on that beautiful Utah soil.

Family aside, it has been what feels like Eons since I last saw many of my Utah friends. That is why this time around I am also having a little get together at one of my favorite local Restaurants, The Pie. We used to always assemble in this ma & pa pizzeria, tip back pitchers of Hefeweizen and chomp on some of the best pizza this side of the Rocky Mountains.

The purpose of this entry is to throw out a warning that I will prob not be writing for the rest of the week. Keep your eyes open though, because I may manage to squeeze one out if I get around to it. And I'm off...

Bon voyage!

I'll be back Monday!

Another Hulk Movie...the more the GREENer!

I thought the first Hulk Movie was good enough, now Universal and Marvel are doing yet another version. Apparently, not a sequel, but a reinvention of the franchise. It does, however look pretty interesting. I didn't think anything was terribly wrong with the previous Hulk (2003), but the way I see it, the more superhero movies out there, the better off we are! Check out this trailer, hot off the press...

• MTV
• Music Videos
• MTV Shows
• Entertainment News

Make LOVE, and WAR...

By now it is known that I am an avid fan of comedy. So far this year there haven't been any comedies that have impressed me much, HOWEVER, there may still be hope. I went to see Semi-Pro a few weeks ago and although I wasn't too impressed I did see something before the movie that really got me excited. Something called The Love Guru.

I have been a long-time fan of Mike Myers, and love every movie he has done from Wayne's World to Austin Powers in Goldmember. So, you can imagine my excitement when I saw the trailer for this new Mike Myers film, The Love Guru, due out on June 20th.

In the same spirit as Austin Powers, Myers plays the title character "Pitka," an American who was raised by gurus in India. He moves back to the U.S. to seek fame and fortune in the world of self-help and spirituality. His unorthodox methods are put to the test when he must settle a rift between NHL hockey player Darren Roanoke (Romany Malco) and his estranged wife. Things go terribly wrong but Pitka must return the couple to marital nirvana and get Roanoke back on his game so the team can break a 40-year-old curse and win the Stanley Cup. With a cast including Jessica Alba, Justin Timberlake, Ben Kingsley, and Verne Troyer (Mini-Me) this one is bound to be a pile of hilarity. Watch the trailer and see for yourself.

ALSO:

Ben Stiller is making a triumphant return to directors chair for the action comedy Tropic Thunder, in which he also stars. Ben Stiller plays pampered action superstar, who is cast in the biggest, most expensive war movie ever produced. He sets out to Southeast Asia with a "Who's Who" of celebrity co-stars. The cast includes Robert Downey Jr., who plays an over-the-top Australian-born method actor who has gone to such extremes to get into character that he surgically changes his race. Jack Black, Nick Nolte and Bill Hader also appear in this gross-out action comedy. Tropic Thunder opens to theaters on August 15th.

NEW INDY POSTER!!!

This just in...a different, more traditional-looking Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull poster. Look at it, love it want to be it...

We've changed a lot and then some, some - 311 Day

Today has been a day that I have long celebrated. Since my days in high school. March 11th a.k.a. 3-11 Day has always been a reminder to me of my love for the band that is 311.

I still remember the first time I heard the best band to come out of Nebraska. I was in my sophomore year of high school, and I worked at the Nike Outlet Store at the Outlet Mall in Park City. One of my coworkers was really into this band, I had heard of it but only knew one or two songs. Spending many a day working in the shipping room, this guy and I often listened and talked about 311 nearly everyday. I was eventually hooked. It took nearly no convincing at all, 311 blends the style of a variety of musical styles including alternative rock, punk, hip hop, reggae, and funk. A very unique, yet infectious blend that made an addict out of me. Still, after all these years (10+) I still consider myself a die hard fan.

3-11 Day is the one day of the year that 311 dedicates to it's fans, and in turn the fans celebrate the band. It's a mutual appreciation celebration! In addition to this, 311 puts on a one-of-a-kind show to celebrate the event. This has been a tradition for the band ever since March 11, 2000. The band usually plays a much longer set than the typical 311 show, and in addition they play a wider variety of songs, usually fan favorites. Today 311 will bring the show to New Orleans. Oh, how I wish I could be there. It is, after all, a goal of mine to eventually be numbered among the crazed fans at a 3-11 Day show. I really need to do this before the end of the band or even my life, which ever comes first.

HAPPY 3-11 DAY EVERYBODY!

In honor of the band, go and pop in the Blue Album and let the good grooves vibe!

Just another reason to be a proud Norwegian...

As many of you know, I am freakishly proud of my Norwegian heritage. And thanks to my cousin, Lars (who just happens to live in Norway), I have just one more thing to be proud of. I have always known that Norway was a mecca for Black Metal, but until I saw and heard this song, by Dimmu Borgir (pronounced /Dim-moo Bore-gear/) I don't think I fully understood the genius behind the music genre.

This music video, titled "The Serpentine Offering" depicts medieval Christian crusaders (Teutonic Knights) raiding a village and slaughtering innocent people. A priest's assistant is shown to dislike killing people just because of faith.

Very powerful music. I don't know if it speaks to you, but it definitely speaks, or SCREAMS to me.



HA, thanks Lars....

Terminator: The RETURN of the Sarah Connor Chronicles?

I finally got around to watching the finale of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and I must say that overall I was well pleased, but uncomfortably wanting more. The fate of the show is still up in there air, and I can only hope that the show will return for a second season.

Now, the official word from the network is, "No word yet regarding season two. Fox usually announces returning shows in May around upfronts." However, E! reported today that some scuttlebutt came their way yesterday, saying production is set to resume in mid to late June, star Thomas Dekker told E! at last night's American Idol party he was feeling pretty good and is "pretty sure" the new season will happen.

According to Dekker, the producers are currently pitching second-season stories to the network.

Maybe this is a glimmer of hope for the show to return, I don't know, but good rumors are better than no rumors. I don't think it by any means is the best show on TV, but I have always been a fan of the Terminator franchise, and the show is pretty entertaining. Don't take my word for it, watch this scene from the season finale (don't worry, there are NO spoilers...)

Super Heroes and Comedy, do they make a dynamic duo?

Spoof films are one of my favorite things to laugh at. Yes they are usually over-cheesy, and just plain unoriginal. But I don't think this underrated genre gets the respect it deserves. My love for spoofs or "Parody Films" developed at an early age when I was a kid. Although I didn't completely understand the jokes and all the movie references, Airplane! was the first true spoof that I saw and actually remember having a fondness for. It wasn't too long after that I saw Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein and was COMPLETELY in love with parody movies.

The 1980s was the decade in which the spoof genre truly blossomed. After all, the first film in the greatest spoof franchise of all time was produced in 1988. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! raised the bar to comedic levels not yet reached by previous parodies, and added over-the-top, ridiculously stupid, yet monstrously hilarious gags into the story line. It also made Leslie Nielsen the undisputed king of the genre. He has since appeared in dozens of parody films since including: Dracula: Dead and Loving It, Spy Hard, The Scary Movie Franchise, and the upcoming Superhero Movie.

With that said, I must point out that in recent years, the spoof has been over used and no longer has the same charm and appeal it once had. Epic Movie, Meet the Spartans, and The Scary Movie Franchise have all but ruined the genre and have virtually scared me away from taking any part in it. However, I will admit that I am a little interested in the Superhero Movie that is due out in theaters on March 28th. David Zucker, the guy that brought us Top Secret!, BASEketball, and The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! is producing the picture. So in my mind there is some hope that Superhero Movie could be entertaining. But I am not getting my hopes too high for this one.

Now let me just make fun of it for a bit. Apparently this one is a send-up of all superhero films, from Batman Begins, X Men, Spider-Man to the Fantastic Four. And like any recent-day spoof a cast of major B-Listers like Pamela Anderson, Tracy Morgan, and Christopher McDonald will be making complete fools of themselves for the sake of comedy. Take this picture of Ms. Anderson, for example. Clearly sporting an outfit similar to those worn by the members of the Fantastic 4, only in this case the tailor forgot to take into account her DYNAMIC DUO.

Tracy Morgan, who you might recognize from SNL and 30 Rock, plays "Dr. Xavier," the tradition spoof trademark of using a very similar, but different name from the original character. (example: Professor Xavier now: Dr. Xavier). I happen to be a HUGE T. Morgan fan, so I will admit that he alone is one of the main driving forces behind my interest in seeing this potential train wreck. If nothing at all, I'll pay, watch, laugh and leave. All in good fun. Check out the trailer...

Youtube + Sigur Rós = Momentous Historical event!

One of my favorite bands is taking over one of the most popular websites on the planet. Sigur Rós and YouTube are going to make a little bit of history this Friday (Mar 7) as the band takes over the entire front page of the site for a whole day. It will make them the first group EVER to have a feature-length music DVD streamed on the channel, their acclaimed 'Heima' documentary will be shown in its complete 97-minute glory.

I own this DVD that will be featured online. In addition to more than a dozen live performances, it showcases the beauty of Iceland (Sigur Rós' homeland) and its people. I highly recommend that you give this band a listen at very least check out the Youtube feature. The documentary is Beautiful.

YouTube has only hosted a limited number of long form presentations, none for music DVDs. And it is the first ever UK home page "takeover" since the launch of http://uk.youtube.com - the localized home page that allows for country-specific video rankings and comments.

Simultaneous with the YouTube promotion, the band will launch www.sigurros.com, giving away a free audio-visual download clip of the song 'Ny Batteri' filmed live in Reykjavik in the summer of 2006 as part of the Heima tour. 'Ny Batteri' is just one of a dozen additional songs not featured in the film that the band are intending to make available via the site in the near future. Information about the forthcoming album will also be revealed via www.sigurros.com…

New Month, New Goals...

It has been my new years resolution to have monthly goals. As everyone does, I started off on the right track. I had good results in January, but February was a different story, not so successful. So I am determined to have better results in March. Ideally, I would like to have my goals written down by the first of the month and I know we are already 5 days into March, but it's better late than never, right? And as the battle of "Old" Kristian vs. "New" Kristian wages, I am determined to do EVERYTHING I can to make "New" Kristian victorious. Accomplishing monthly goals is one of those things.

Here are my March Goals:

1. Work Out at gym 3 times per week.
2. Read one book this month.
3. No Fast Food this month.
4. No Carbonated drinks this month.
5. Do my taxes.
6. Eat half as much as I normally do.

They are very similar to January's, but I feel like they are good goals to have. If I meet these expectations, I feel like I am at least making some progression in my life. And that is VERY important for me right now.

Random Celebrity Sighting...

I was reminded today of why I love living and working in LA. On my way back from lunch today, I noticed a familiar face, critically acclaimed director, Ron Howard (The Da Vinci Code, A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13) . Man, it's cool to be in this town, you truly never know who you are going to see...

Flying anytime soon? Not after this...

I'm only 2 weeks from my trip home and this video comes up on the internet. Somehow I'm not so anxious to get on a plane anymore. This jumbo jet nearly crashed over the weekend as it attempted to land in the midst of a tropical storm in Germany.

The Lufthansa jet, with 137 passengers onboard, struggled through the strong winds of a powerful winter storm to land at Hamburg Airport, Spiegel Online reported. An amateur video captured the dramatic landing.



Now I'll go change my pants...and then my plane ticket while I'm at it.