Mention kung-fu movies and the first response will almost always include Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan. And for good reason — those talented actors and martial artists popularized the genre in the US and abroad. But director Lau Kar-leung is widely considered to be the Grandmaster of kung-fu, revolutionizing what a kung-fu film could be and influencing generations of actors and directors. Museum of Modern Art curator La Frances Hui goes deep into the history of kung-fu films and shows what makes Lau Kar-leung so special to the artform.
As far as cellists go, Yo-Yo Ma is quite possibly the GOAT. He started performing for presidents at the age of seven, has been featured on soundtracks like Once Upon a Time in America, The Untouchables, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, has earned 18 Grammys, and was named the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities by Obama. Now, Ma is gracing the NPR Tiny desk to perform a series of suites for unaccompanied cello by Johann Sebastian Bach.
A classic trope in books and film is the protagonist meeting the antagonist in a final battle between good and evil. In No Country for Old Men, author Cormac McCarthy and the subsequent film adaptation by the Coen brothers completely subverts the narrative we're familiar with. Lessons From the Screenplay goes into the details of the mechanics the Coen brothers used to keep the audience guessing — and how deliberately leaving out plot points keeps the audience engaged.
On the road or just a long country walk, Aspinal of London's Leather Hunter Flask is the perfect companion. Made from stainless steel, the flask is sized to slip into a pocket for a nip of your favorite drink wherever you go. Fine, full-grain leather binding holds two cups to share with a friend.
Some styling creams need heat to set. Others leave hair vulnerable to frizz and can leave hair greasy, or even damaged. OXFORDhill's Air Dry Styling Cream is formulated with 16 powerful plant-based ingredients that deliver the perfect amount of hold while actively improving hair health over time. The cream works with all hair types and textures and is silicone-free, vegan, and crafted without animal by-products or testing. Just scrunch it into wet, style, and go; when you run out, the aluminum tube is infinitely recyclable.
Combining the moving picture with audio makes film one of the most engaging mediums created by humans. While much of the focus goes to writing, acting, and direction, the score of a film can drive home the emotion of a scene in a way that visuals alone cannot. CineFix breaks down ten of the best film scores in movie history with a few picks that might surprise you.
Another RC Channel has created the ultimate off-road video by filming his Traxxas TRX4 Broncos in super slow-mo. The effect paired with the angle almost makes you feel like your watching a couple a full-size 4x4s shredding the beach. He follows it up by taking his toys to the forest trails of the Pacific Northwest.
Rowing machines engage 86% of your muscles and can burn up to 400 calories in just 20 minutes. Hydrow might be the best rower in the world, combining those workout benefits into a sleek new tech-savvy machine. Hydrow is made with commercial-grade components, with a 10-roller smooth gliding seat, and has been tested to last for over 3 million cycles. It also features a 22" HD touchscreen monitor with a hi-fi speaker for over 5,000 workouts led by Olympians and world-class athletes, stretching beyond rowing to cover HIIT, circuit training, yoga, and more. From 11/8-11/14, shoppers can enjoy $400 off the Pro and $200 off the Wave as part of Hydrow's BFCM Preview Sale.
Since their launch over ten years ago, Bombas has been dedicated to making high-quality clothing — first just socks, now tees, underwear, and more — while providing the same essentials to people in need. This holiday season, they're offering up to 15% off select packs while donating an essential clothing item to those in need for each item purchased. From Performance ankle and no-show socks to slippers and boxer briefs, their men's line has you covered, and there are options for ladies and kids. Their gift boxes remove the need to wrap — socks don't play well with wrapping paper, after all — and new customers can save an additional 25% off all socks, with free shipping for orders $125 and up.
Currently, to travel along Norway's coast you'll have to take the E39 highway. The 683-mile route runs from Kristiansand in the south to Trondheim and with its seven different ferry connections, takes about 21 hours to complete. In an attempt to cut the travel in half, the Norwegian government plans to eliminate the need for ferries with increased tunnels and bridges while improving current roadway conditions. The project is estimated to cost 40 billion dollars making it the largest infrastructure project in the country's history.
Jennifer Macalady is a microbiologist exploring Italy's water-filled Frasassi Caves. The conditions in these caves might be similar to the conditions that the first life on Earth began — lightless and dark. Macalady hopes that the microbes she's discovering might hold the secrets to the origin of life, without the ability to harvest energy from the sun.
