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.
There's a good chance that the modern world wouldn't be possible without the widespread use of coffee. The world's most popular stimulant has remained practically unchanged for millennia — and Four Sigmatic wants to change that. Four Sigmatic's mushroom coffee is made with a unique blend of caps, the most potent part of the mushroom. The result is a brew that does much more than just provide a perk, helping focus and mood throughout the day.
While much of the world has gone paperless, there's still a place in every home for a printer, scanner, and copying machine. HP's Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One does all three. The eponymous tanks hold up to two years or 6,000 pages of ink, which is included in the box, and have a proprietary spill-free refill system. Self-healing WiFi provides a dependable connection for all devices via the HP app, enabling wireless scanning, copying, and printing, with the latter supporting borderless photos. Smart illuminating buttons make on-device use a breeze, and built-in HP Wolf Essential Security protects the printer from cyber threats. Available through May 4th for $80 off.
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.
The Eureka Ark Executive Standing Desk combines heavy-duty design with minimalist modern aesthetics — with the added benefit of not sitting for hours at a time. Measuring 63 x 29 inches, the Ark Executive Desk features a raising mechanism with two quiet motors and three-stage legs that raise the desk from 27 inches to a max height of 49 inches. The desk raises and lowers at the touch of a button, with two preset options and an anti-collision system to prevent mishaps. A raised monitor stand and two smooth-glide drawers provide ample storage options, with three USB ports, two outlets, and a wireless charging pad built into the top. Almost completely handmade, the Ark is dressed in solid walnut veneer, making it the centerpiece of any office, at home or on the job.
Combining elements of tactical boots with training shoes, the Nike React SFB Carbon Low is built for outdoor pursuits. It's built with Flyplate technology that uses a full-length carbon fiber plate to optimize stride, support the Achilles, and protect from sharp rocks. Lightweight React foam provides cushioning and energy return, while the mesh upper has a durable fabric midfoot overlay, heavy-duty stow-away laces, and a solid rubber toe reinforcement. It all sits atop an outsole of hand and sticky rubbers with rubber teeth in the arch for added grip on challenging terrain.
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.
