Garfield x The Hundreds

Last Thursday, after an already long day, I braved the freeways over to Santa Monica for the Opening Night Art Show surrounding the buzzworthy Garfield and The Hundreds collaboration and pop-up shop. If you haven't noticed by the abundance of The Hundreds' related posts on my blog, we've recently created a content partnership where I essentially make all the videos for them. The pop-up had a massive line snaking around, almost to the newly minted Santa Monica Place. The party inside was elbow to elbow..



And of course the video, which features Garfield creator Jim Davis, along with Pete Wentz, Ashlee Simpson, David Choe, Dominick DeLuca, Mark Dean Veca, Buff Monster, and more!

Louis C.K. on Slavery

Louis C.K. in my opinion is the funniest, rawest comedian out there. Notoriously known to hate his own kids, the guy's not one to shy away from any topic - even confessing to committing beastiality with is own dog. His HBO series "Lucky Louie" featured the venerable multi-cam format, but with Louis talking mad s**t - it was brilliant, albeit short lived. Today, he's on FX with his new show "Louie" which got picked up for a second season (I'm happy about that). Here on the Tonight Show w/ Leno, he weighs in a black man's right to be annoyed. This guy always cracks me the fuck up. Watch..

Black Friday

Here's a new video from the annual, and absolute frenzied, Black Friday sale at The Hundreds' LA store. I've seen this brand grow from a tiny t-shirt operation to the full-fledged lifestyle brand it is today. But the most inspiring thing is this whole new generation of kids completely gung-ho over, well, threads. Watch..

Holly's in My World

The other day, we shot the next installment of The Hundreds commercial campaign, this time a behind-the-scenes shoot with ex-Playmate Holly Madison, made famous by the hugely popular E! show "Girls Next Door". Coincidentally, I'm working on a television show produced by the same company that produces her show, with another Playboy talent. Can't spill the beans quite yet. Back to Holly, evidently she's a huge fan of the brand, which at first was shocking. Pleasantly shocking. The video won't drop until next year, but here are some sneeks to tide you over..





There's Ashley, formerly of Krew, now The Hundreds' newest marketing director.



More Holly..



Stay tuned.

"Call of Duty: Black Ops"

So waited a day to circumvent the lines, and last night picked up my copy of the new "Call of Duty: Black Ops"..



For those not too familiar with the COD series, this installment was created by Treyarch, the game developer who trades off with Infinity Ward in pumping out the addictive first-person shooter. To put it simply, Infinity Ward is the superior developer, solely responsible for all of the Modern Warfare installments of the COD series. Most of the others, all set in historical wars, are made by Treyarch. Black Ops feels like a horizontal move for the series. While set in new environments such as Vietnam and Cuba, it feels suspiciously too close to Treyarch's last installment World at War...



People say 'Black Ops' is sick because of the new crossbow...



I say big deal. There's also many historical inaccuracies such as the Hind Helicopter, which wasn't even in flight in 1968. Treyarch's cursed with limited foresight and having it's hands tied with old weaponry. I personally think Activision should just hand over the entire series to Infinity Ward. Here's a scene from Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer Favela level..



Black Ops feels nothing more than a new map pack. Yet, I'll still be playing because it's still solid and a brand new world to explore, plus you can't return opened merch at Gamestop! My XBOX Live handle is 'DRUNKNGUNMN78' - come find me.

Public Label Fall/Winter 2010

Deep apologies for the silence - things have been hectic! New video for the Fall/Winter 2010 collection of The Hundreds' Public Label brand. The song is by Dead Meadow..

"Print is Not Dead"

New The Hundreds spot I just wrote & directed. Features Tal Cooperman of DCMA as the anti-digital print reader. Thanks as always for watching..

A Complete Alternate Past of the Future of Going Back

Never knew Eric Stoltz was the original Marty McFly in one of my favorite films of all time "Back to the Future". Talk about a close call!

"Enter The Void"

In case you haven't heard yet. Gasper Noe's new film. Looks tasty.

The Loyal Subjects

Today, finally stopped by my buddies' offices down the block on Melrose, the guys behind the art-inspired vinyl toy company The Loyal Subjects. Here's a cross section of what these dudes make, here's the Sam Flores Kid Dragon toy..



Sam's Wyger toy..



Tokidoki hired these guys to produce the Karl Lagerfeld toy. Looks like the weirdo to me!



The new Buff Monster toy..



There's Adam..



The other half Jon Cathey is co-owner of Cultyard, essentially a curated art/lifestyle show within the NY Comic Con show, which is happening right now. There's the poster..

The Hundreds x Mark Dean Veca

Here's a new video I created for The Hundreds collaboration w/ esteemed and prolific artist Mark Dean Veca..

The Secret Garden

My old school friend Ben Osher, who used to run art zine Beautiful Decay, has since transitioned his career path from publishing to food, now a BOH (Back of House) Chef at Nobu. Yesterday, we decided to create a grand home cooked meal. There's Ben in his home kitchen, check the professional floormats!



Obviously Ben is white. The irony of this meal was a white guy cooked an all-out Korean meal for a Korean aka me! Step 1 always, get the rice going..



Step 2 was already done, get the short ribs in the pressure cooker. You'll see soon.



Then we took an unexpected stroll to the community garden right around the corner on Hollywood/Curson. The city needs more of these. Open sesame..







Got to his plot. Use them scissors Ben!



His plot is primarily populated with peppers. The alpha pepper Habanero, yes!



Red Jalapeno. They turn this color when you let them go past green. You'd think they're spicier, but actually they turn sweeter when red..



Ever wonder where the Chinese got inspiration for their lanterns? A tomato pops out of this..



Purple basil..



Back to the kitchen. Washing the freshly-picked produce..



To hold over our hungry tummies until the short ribs were ready, we made 'been-dae-dok', what most non-Koreans will call kim-chee pancakes..



Checking on the beef, looking fall-off-the-bone tender!





The rest is in our tummies! Thank you Ben Osher, magazines are dead anyway.

"Detroit Lives"

Stumbled onto this compelling serialized online doc, apparently financed by Palladium Boots. Has Johnny Knoxville in VBS-like posture, exploring the rarely seen, non-urban decay side of Detroit. Loved it the minute one girl referred to the glorification as "ruin porn". BTW Palladium, creativity like this made me want to check out your brand. Good job. Here are that latter 2 parts, the first keeps playing on autoplay..

"The Clinic" on Hulu's Homepage!

Here are all 6 Episodes of "The Clinic" in order. Smoke one, enjoy, and please spread the word!













Please feel free and add our Facebook Page and Twitter. Your support is deeply appreciated.

"The Clinic" World Premiere, Tuesday Aug. 31st

Going down tomorrow night! Please be my guest as we Premiere all 6 Episodes, along with an after party and open bar! See you then!

"Back To School with The Hundreds"

First of a series of commercial spots I'll be creating for The Hundreds on a monthly basis. They wanted to feature the Fall 2010 collection, so I came up with a back-to-school theme. Here it is.

"Back to School" / The Hundreds Fall 2010 from Danny Lee on Vimeo.

Omnipotent Red Army!

Pulled this from The Hundreds Video Daze..

"I'm Still Here"

I can't help but to like this guy. Although this whole stunt reminds me of Andy Kaufman. From what I can see as a mere observer, Phoenix has always seemed honest and genuine. He also seems like he's on some serious drugs. Here's the trailer to Casey Affleck directed documentary about Joaquin Phoenix, and his strange journey of recent..

Worthy Share

Here are a few recent online videos/previews you might've missed, all conveniently in one place for you. Let's begin..









Fin.

"Hey, I've Got This New Idea!"

Really? Well I'm pretty sure I don't want to hear it. That's what most people are probably thinking when you say that. I myself am always trying to figure out what makes a project attractive, even bulletproof.



Successful screenwriter John August breaks it down break in his blog. Read it, learn from it, don't bother me with half-baked ideas. Not that I'm anybody, but do that for yourself!

"Sucker Punch" Trailer

Looks sick. From Zack Snyder..

Koreans Are Meatheads Too

Oh lord, the leaked sizzle reel for the rumored Jersey Shore-like "Ktown" reality show. Brace yourself umma!

This is Hip Hop!

Now YOU can learn to be 'hip hop' by watching this simple video!

THIS IS HIP-HOP! from Airwave Ranger on Vimeo.

"Middle Men"

Being released by Paramount Vantage, this film is about the single most transformative innovation of my generation - the internet. Layered within this premise is good ol' capitalism. The film stars Luke Wilson and looks pretty engaging, stylish too. Here's the trailer..

"Boardwalk Empire"

HBO does it again - a period drama taking place in Atlantic City in the 20's, starring Steve Buscemi. Also written by "The Sopranos" writer Terence Winter, and the pilot directed by Martin Scorcese. How the f**k could you go wrong. Here it is..

Preview Trailer #3

"Mortal Kombat" on Spec

In light of this week's E3 excitement, perfect timing for some Mortal Kombat buzz. Young director Kevin Tancharoen, bombed with the 80's remake "Fame", as well as crappy reality show "Twentyfourseven" on MTV, which was supposed to be the real life "Entourage". Instead, it turned out to be a 'follow along' with characters who we had no reason to follow, nor like. So as quick as Tancharoen's stock went lukewarm after his last flop, it's back on the upswing. In the true spirit of independence, he put this spec teaser for a potential reboot of the "Mortal Kombat" movie, based on the original video game. Here it is, really well done. And made for only $7500.

"Entourage" / Season 7

You may love the show, you may hate the show. I take it for face value, an entertaining look into the mechanics of Hollywood. Here's the trailer for the upcoming season, although in my opinion comes off anti-climactic and unclear. Nevertheless, here it is..

"Entourage" / Season 7

iPhone 4G Video

This video breaks down all of the new features in Apple's new effort in total tech domination. The 'Facetime' feature is reason enough to buy.

"This Is The Life"

One of the most brilliant, expressive, and relatively unknown movements in the American music landscape. Please, watch.

"Write The Future"

Wieden+Kennedy was behind this amazing Nike short. The world's biggest football players, sans Beckman, make cameos in this slick push from Nike Soccer. Adidas who?

Culture Jam

Today had lunch at the M Cafe in Culver City with my 2 favorite social media ladies of Culture Jam. There's Amanda MacNaughton and Jessie Rubin..



These 2 think forward, act forward, and are just all around good people. Check 'em out and what they've built.

Muma

Felt the need to share this new little delicious eatery in my neighborhood..



Muma off Melrose/Poinsettia recently took over the square feet from a waffle desert place that never caught on. This little Mediterranean gem is the go-to spot when you're hungry on a budget. There's the chicken shawarma pita I usually get..



And some homemade sweet potato fries..



The real clincher is their open salad bar, to customize your pita experience. Everything is really fresh, don't sleep on the cilantro sauce!



And the ribbon that ties the entire meal together..



Counter all the garlic-ness with a chocolate & coconut cookie..



Try for yourself, it's the catty corner from another good neighborhood spot, The Dark Room. Knowledge brings smiles.

Glory Motor Works

Today, stopped by Glory Motor Works - the vintage motorcycle shop responsible for building the classic bikes you see in movies like "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" and the upcoming "Mission: Impossible IV". There's the owner Justin Kell..



He just bought a new toy for 50k, easily valued over 100k. There's the classic Vincent motorcycle he just found..



The guy is a true seeker of vintage Americana. You're probably already reading my mind.

"Neighbors From Hell"

My buddy Andy Vick, who's partnered with me on one of my scripted shows, was one of the 5 writers on this show that's about to bow on TBS. All I gotta say is Snorfin! Can't wait to watch. Here's the trailer..

Neighbors from Hell TV Commercial - Exclusive Trailer

Coachella Set Times

They're out, here they are below, in order..







And if you have an iPhone, get the free Coachella App. Organizes your day, quick access to the forum, even uses GPS to place a marker where you've parked - so when you stumble out in whatever stupor you'll be in, your trusty phone will lead you home, instead of shacking up with some random midwest dudes in an RV who say you're the coolest person they've met today. See you kids in a few days..

"Trash of the Titans"

Sorry friends, wish I could be up in arms about "Clash of the Titans", like I was about "Avatar". This version was nothing but a contemporary, hollow version of its former self. Barely any storyline, bad CG effects, and post 3D conversion that barely made a difference. In fact, the effects in this film almost felt as cheap as those History Channel graphics, not kidding! The film really just proved 2 things - big budget effects usually hurt story + trailers can be powerfully deceiving! Even Medusa was, well, hot - nothing creepy about her. The reveal of her was anything but climactic. Here's a snap of what the new Medusa looks like..



Comparatively to the original Medusa..



Looks like Liam Neeson has notched as least 2 crap films for 2010, including the upcoming "A-Team". Save your $, wait for it on DVD, cable even. And hope that part 2 will be better written.

Hulu

This morning had breakfast with Alex Kruglov in Content Acquisition & International at Hulu. If there have been any forces that have truly transformed the media landscape in the last couple years, it has got to be Hulu. Their aggressive content gathering has essentially made the ad rev-share business model commonplace. PS - the avocado and cheddar cheese breakfast burrito at Lemon Moon is pretty good! There's Alex..



While on the topic of Hulu, my first film "Rock Fresh" is being featured on the site - in fact Alex told me it beat out many of the big shows and studio movies last week. According to him, it tallied the 3rd highest number of views for the day it was featured on the front page. It's weird to see your first baby still walking. Made "Rock Fresh" back in '03, here's the embed..



You can also buy the discounted DVD direct from us - $15 and comes with a free movie poster.

"The Vault 12"

I'm genuinely curious about this upcoming web series. The premise is interesting, lock up 12 people 40 feet below the ground, and see what happens. Could be a hit or miss, but it will be a good case study to see if viewers are and will be willing to pay a subscription premium in the near future. Here's the trailer from their site..

D'Amore

Today, sat down with my friend Caroline D'Amore and her manager Jeb Brandon. We're 3 building on something new. Here we are at the offices of Kritzer Levine Wilkins Griffin Entertainment..



Interestingly enough, KLWG Entertainment is the same firm/company where Evan Ross is managed, who is attached to my feature "Backpackers". The Wood is truly a small town.