Writing – Los Angeles writer

Articles about excellent websites, videos, podcasts, screenplays, recipes, apps, entertainment

Video | Top Ten Funny Babies - when stress levels rise, try a few seconds of these babes for instant relief

If you don’t crack a smile watching this clip, check your pulse.

Podcasts | The Culture Gabfest - Slate magazine’s culture critics debate the week in culture from highbrow to pop

Slate.com's cultural critics Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner discuss the latest movies, television, books and more.

Screenplays | MIDNIGHT IN PARIS by Woody Allen - this year’s Oscar winner for best original screenplay

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS won best original screenplay and Woody Allen has the most nominations in this category with 15, and the most wins with 3.

Video | Earth - a look at the fascinating way science and art combine to create images of our home sweet home

There's artistry to creating the world and Rob Simmon, art director of NASA Earth Observatory, shows us how.

Websites | SuTree - a knowledge community and aggregator of how-to videos

SuTree is a great place to increase your knowledge and expertise of almost anything you can think of.

Secret Recipes | Houston's Chicago Style Spinach Artichoke Dip

Spinach and artichoke hearts mixed with cheeses and spices, served up hot with chips for dipping.

TV | LUCK - a trifecta of great writing, acting & cinemtography makes this HBO series the best thing going by a long shot

After getting blown away by the fourth episode, all I can say is--whoa what a show! Although the series can be confusing and wandering in the early episodes, if you give this nag a chance, she’s going to race into your heart.

Apps | GasBuddy - finds the best gas prices

This superb free app, GasBuddy, finds the cheapest gas prices on the go or at locales you know. GB is my BFF and he wants to be yours too.

Photography/Video | Secret Life of Ice - photographer zoomed in on ice and discovered a beautiful and fascinating landscape

Look at frozen water through cross-polarized light, and zoom in with a macro lens, and you'll find a colorful and mesmerizing landscape.

Websites | "What's Alan Watching" - Sepinwall’s site is a great place to go for thought provoking and insightful TV commentary

When I want to know what’s worth watching, I always go to "What's Alan Watching". And whenever I’m confused by something I’ve already seen, my TV pal can always be counted on to fine tune my mind’s screen.

Top Secret Recipes | Chili’s Baby Back Ribs - with GMA video

Chili’s baby back ribs savory flavor is found in the sauce, and the cooking secret is a slow-braising technique prior to grilling that will keep the meat juicy.

Screenplays | THE IDES OF MARCH by George Clooney, Grant Heslov, and Beau Willimon

THE IDES OF MARCH, by George Clooney, Grant Heslov, and Beau Willimon, was up for best adapted screenplay and I thought it was the best of this year's nominations.

Photography | Wet & Wild - a fountain and fifteen minutes
I love me some moving water. Always have. A few drops. An enormous wave. Don’t matter. Mix in sparkling sunshine and I can’t resist. Here’s a few shots from a fifteen minute stare.

Websites | Funny or Die - The Presidential Reunion is a video featuring Will Ferrell, Chevy Chase, Ron Howard, Jim Carrey, Fred Armisen
Barack Obama gets a surprise visit in the night from ex-Presidents Bush Sr., Bush Jr., Clinton, Ford, Reagan and Carter to get a few pointers about the Consumer Protection Agency. Books | Visual Illusions - believing what you don’t see, kinda
Here are a couple of books with fascinating collections of visual illusions you’ll enjoy. It’s stunning how our minds can perceive images that actually differ from objective reality. Yes, our own brains seemingly enjoys tricking us sometimes. I think I hear mine snickering at me right now. Or do I? Screenplays | INCEPTION by Christopher Nolan
Inception is a 2010 film which was written, co-produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan. Is that all, Chris? What a slacker. Apps | Fido Factor - this app for dog lovers fetches dog-friendly locations where ever you roam--don’t leave home without your best friend again
(Special guest post written by my dog Enzo) Think us dogs wanna be left behind while you go have fun? Well we don’t! Not never! So fetch the Fido Factor app and it’ll tell you where you can go with your canine, where ever you happen to go.

Top Secret Recipes | P.F. Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps - one of the most popular appetizers ever concocted
P.F. Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps are wok-seared minced chicken, mushrooms, green onions, and water chestnuts served over crispy rice sticks and served with cool, crisp lettuce cups.

Photo Story Poem | CANCER CAN’T CATCH HER - she peered into death’s eyes, spit in its face and lived happily ever after

A cancer survivor photo story poem.

Video | A Christmas Story - montage of amazing cinematography showcases heartwarming dog and human friendship

This video features the stunning nature cinematography of Director of Photography Don Burgess and a stirring soundtrack by Enya.

Apps | RedLaser - compares gift prices online or at nearby stores, also checks food nutrition and allergens

I've found RedLaser is the best app for comparing product prices. It also delivers food nutrition and allergen info, finds library books and more.

Recipes | Holiday recipe - Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bar - with how-to video

Bring a little bliss to your holiday gatherings with Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bar. A blondie cake base, topped with sweet cream cheese icing and tart dried cranberries, garnished with white orange drizzle.

Screenplays | IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE written by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra, Jo Swerling

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE is a 1946 film produced and directed by Frank Capra and based on the short story "THE GREATEST GIFT" written by Philip Van Doren Stern.

Podcasts | Marc Maron’s WTF - a thoughtful, talented comedian interviews other comedians

I’ve enjoyed over 50 of Marc Maron’s WTF podcasts. This smart comedian has a talent for coaxing surprisingly revealing and interesting things from his comedic guests which results in excellent and unique interviews.

Photography | Light comes out at night

Photographs of Los Angeles nightscapes. Basically, photography is a medium that captures light reflected off a subject. When moving light itself is the subject, sometimes an almost magical transformation occurs. This has always fascinated me.

Essay | THE FRAIL BLISS TORNADO VS GLOOM AND DOOM

A true tale and appreciation of my mighty Special Olympics’ hero.

Video | Masters Of Camouflage - nature’s best camouflage artists strut their stuff in this remarkable video

A marine biologist captures nature’s finest underwater camouflage artists performing their almost magical transformations in this intriguing video.

Screenplays | INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS written by Quentin Tarantino

Tarantino’s INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS script received an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay. And I found him to be a most gracious fellow in person.

Recipes | Top Secret Recipes – Domino’s Pizza

Here’s the secret recipe for a delicious Domino’s pizza and a video of Todd Wilbur’s new TV show.

Websites | AllMyFaves - the ultimate homepage and one-stop-shop for all your online needs

I’ve been using All My Faves for years and have found it a fine resource--a visual table of contents of the online world. Whenever I’m stuck or looking for new places to explore, I head over to this directory with its numerous visual links.

Websites | Movie Reviews - if you wanna know to which movies you should go--throw out Rotten Tomatoes and grab my fresh choices

I’ve reviewed the movie review sites and got the top two for you--Metacritic and MovieReviewIntelligence. Metacritic also serves up excellent TV, music & gaming guidance.

Podcasts | The Tobolowsky Files - legendary character actor shares his short stories about life, love, and the entertainment industry

I listened to podcast one a few months ago and became addicted before it concluded. I had no choice but to feed my addiction and I consumed all 51 episodes one after another. His stories are funny, profound, and moving.

Video | Animals - Ultimate Dog Tease, great talking dog, a must-see

The perfectly produced talking dog video, Ultimate Dog Tease, has been viewed by over 63 million.

Screenplays | MEMENTO written by Christopher Nolan

MEMENTO is a psychological thriller written and directed by Christopher Nolan, adapted from his younger brother Jonathan's short story, MEMENTO MORI. The film received Academy Award nominations for Original Screenplay and Film Editing.

News | Pat’s Papers - carefully edited news collection spanning the spectrum of international news to domestic politics to science to gossip and beyond

Pat’s Papers is a carefully edited collection of US news headlines. They cut through the clutter of the news choices on the Web to deliver a summary of stories that span the entire news spectrum.

Recipes | Top Secret Recipes - Starbucks' birthday cake pops

A Cake Pop solves the ever lasting question of how to make cake portable–it’s whimsical, fun and delicious cake on a stick.

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP FORM

Apps | Dragon - Fire up texting, emails, twitters without typing

I like texting except for the typing. So my pet Dragon swallows my voice and spits out hot text--for text messages, emails, Twitter, Facebook updates, notes and whatevers. Dragon Dictation is a free bird too.

Websites | Shopping - sites, tips and tricks for finding gifts and snagging the best prices

Online shopping sites, tips and tricks for finding gifts and snagging the lowest prices with the least amount of effort.

Music | Clarence Clemons Tribute - “The Big Man”, Bruce Springsteen saxophonist, passes away

Clarence Clemons, known as “The Big Man” to Springsteen fans, passed away a few days ago. I already miss my favorite sax man big-time. Here's my humble tribute with memories, photos and video of a most soulful musician I greatly admired.

Food | Top Secret Recipes - Jamba Juice Smoothies

Here’s the top secret recipe for Jamba Juice Smoothies.

Video | Pets - Cat impersonates dog when nobody’s looking

Here's a video of a cat impersonating a barking dog when he thinks no one is watching.

Comics | Bottomliners – Close To Home – Speed Bump – NonSequitor

My favorite comics from the past few weeks featuring Bottomliners, Close To Home, Speed Bump, NonSequitor.

Podcasts | KEVIN POLLAK’S CHAT SHOW - The planet’s best talk show ain’t on TV

With no time or language or commercial restrictions to hold it back, KEVIN POLLAK’S CHAT SHOW has blasted off into the stratosphere to become the planet’s best talk show. I’ve gathered tasty samples of his podcast featuring Jon Hamm, Seth MacFarlane, Jane Campion, Dana Carvey, Lisa Loeb and others.

Print| Sleep on the job to work better--scientists prove what my grandpa and cat told me

My Grandpa and cat told me naps are important. Now smarty-pants scientists also say ‘power naps’ improve cognitive functioning, increase reaction time, learning, efficiency and health. Result? Get more work done.

Music Video | OK GO - The largest and most stupendous Rube Goldberg machine ever created “performs” with the band OK GO

Ok Go, and arts group Syyn Labs, build the most stupendous and creative Rube Goldberg machine ever and synch its “performance” to a great song.

Screenplays | THE USUAL SUSPECTS by Christopher McQuarrie

THE USUAL SUSPECTS is one of my all time favorite films and screenplays. This screenplay won the Oscar in 1995 and Kevin Spacey snagged best supporting actor.

Top Secret Recipes | CPK Thai Crunch Salad

The top secret recipe for California Pizza Kitchen’s delicious Thai Crunch Salad courtesy of my favorite food spy Todd Wilbur.

Comics | Free Range – Stone Soup – Speed Bump – In The Bleachers

My favorite comics from the past few weeks.

Websites | Video: Funny or Die - When Harry Met Sally 2, the Landlord & its outtakes

Here’s a few fine videos from Funny Or Die. A new one with Billy Crystal and Helen Mirren, a classic you’ve likely seen before, and the outtakes you may not have caught.

Photography | The Ins And Outs Of Looking Attractive, Outside And Inside, In Photos And Out

A photographer gives practical and philosophical advice on how to look your best in photos.

Video | Dogs - Denver, the famous guilty dog, in her viral vid and TV debut

Over 8 million people have viewed this amusing video. What I like about this one is that it isn’t a silly, goofy or pratfall filled affair. It’s subtle and low-key, so I’m frankly surprised it got such a huge response.

Screenplays | THE KING’S SPEECH by David Seidler

It won the Oscar for best original screenplay & it ain’t a half bad read

Podcasts | BrainStuff - get smarter in a few minutes and have a humm-huh? moment or two

Marshall Brain explains the world's everyday mysteries and other puzzling phenomena in BrainStuff, a podcast from HowStuffWorks.com

Top Secret Recipes | Bonefish Grill BangBang Shrimp

Bonefish Grill proudly refers to this appetizer as the “house specialty” and for good reason. It’s a most delicious dish with bang-up flavor especially if you enjoy your food on the spicy side.

Comics | Free Range – Close to Home – Speed Bump – Free Range - Bliss - Bottomliners

My favorite comics from the past few weeks.

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Gregory@GregoryMancuso.com