The Beta News

I See Your Hans Zimmer And Raise You With John Williams

Dennis Bjørn Petersen — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:45:31 +0000

Paul Tassi at Unreality magazine wrote a great post about his second favorite composer, Hans Zimmer. I can only agree with Paul Tassi that Hans Zimmer is a great composer and he is in a close duel with John Williams, Clint Mansell, Steve Jablonsky and after the X-Men First Class score now also Henry Jackman as my favorite composer.

John Williams might not be as diverse as Hans Zimmer, but he has written some of the most epic and recognized soundtracks ever. Williams have been awarded more times than any other composer (excluding Walt Disney). Not that it matters much in the post. Williams isn’t as experimenting as Zimmer and most of his scores doesn’t involved instruments you won’t find in a classic orchestra.

Now, Paul Tassi has picked ten of his favorite Zimmer scores. I’ll pick ten of my favorite Williams scores, but not the obvious like ET, Indiana, Harry Potter or Star Wars opening themes. Everybody knows them. No challenge in that.

In the Belly of the Steel Beast (Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade)

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Asteroid Field (Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Opening Theme (Catch Me If You Can)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Superman Theme (Superman)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Music from the Aliens (Close Encounters of the Third Kind)

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Map Room (Indiana Jones and The Raiders of the Lost Ark)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Setting the Trap (Home Alone)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Main Theme (Jaws)

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Tale of Victor Navorski

Click here to view the embedded video.

Theme (Schindler’s List)

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The Overlook Hotel Restaurant Kids Place Mat

Dennis Bjørn Petersen — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:12:17 +0000

Click to enlarge

This is the place mat from Overlook Hotel known from “The Shining”. You might recognize a couple of the words in “Word Search”.

Space Monolith Action Figure

Dennis Bjørn Petersen — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 09:50:39 +0000

This is just what every film nerd needs for Christmas or any other holiday. The “Space Monolith Action Figure” from ThinkGeek. This Kubrickan inaction figure has absolutely zero points of articulation and it’s full of stars.

With the original proportions 1:4:9 and made of semisynthetic, organic, amorphous, solid materials (AKA plastic) all it needs would be 32 Gb of storage and a USB plug.

Those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about don’t bother. This is very exclusive.

Comedy Legend Leslie Nielsen – R.I.P.

Dennis Bjørn Petersen — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:38:47 +0000

When I was a kid I used to watch “The Naked Gun”, “Airplane” and the other Zucker films. My father and I good laugh for hours afterwards. We even practiced spotting the jokes in the background.

The reasons why The Naked Gun was, besides the script, Leslie Nielsen, who unfortunately passed away today at the age of 84 in Florida. I’ve always been a huge Leslie Nielsen fan. What’s not to like about the man? If you look away from some of his most recent films, he has always added something extra to the movies he has been in.

He will be missed.

Harry Potter Discusses Playing Daniel Radcliffe

Dennis Bjørn Petersen — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 08:39:09 +0000

In a very honest and naked interview Harry Potter discusses how it is to play Daniel Radcliffe. I can only agree with him. Americans never accepts European sports. Quidditch isn’t for sissies. You can get a broom burn.

I Am Harry Potter from Daniel Radcliffe

Worf: Worst Klingon Ever

Dennis Bjørn Petersen — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 07:48:21 +0000

I’m sorry for doing this Worf, but I could take you down with one arm tied to my back and my legs tied together. I think one of the Knights Who Say Ni could take you down without losing a single limb.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Uncle Matin’s Sword Trick

Dennis Bjørn Petersen — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:09:49 +0000

Wait until the end. It is seriously worth the 1.55 minute of your time and it explains a lot!

The Most Epic Picture You’ll See Today

Dennis Bjørn Petersen — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:37:36 +0000

It doesn’t get more epic than this.

If you can think of something the artist has missed, let me know in the comments.

What I’ve Always Wanted – A Vulcan Hoodie

Dennis Bjørn Petersen — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 07:48:14 +0000

It’s a hoodie with an ordinary big hand when zipped, but zip it down a bit and suddenly you have the coolest hoodie ever made. As you can see in the picture, you’ll walk around giving people the biggest Vulcan salute ever.

The hoodie is called “Traditional Greeting” and can be yours for only $40. You can buy the hoodie at Threadless

10 Pictures Of Real Life Super Heroes

Dennis Bjørn Petersen — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 08:15:52 +0000

These pictures are from the “Real Life Super Heroes Project” created by photographer Peter Tangen. It features ordinary people wearing super hero costumes/outfits.

I think “Life” could be Mashable’s Pete Cashmore. I’ve always suspected him of having a secret identity. And we know that Scots can hide their accent pretty good. (I’m looking at you Gerard Butler)