Aimee Carlson has one of those 21st Century dream jobs: getting paid to surf the web and watch videos. It’s up there with video game tester or ice cream taster. Carlson is the US Creative Director for Dailymotion.com, an international viral video site that has built up a community of budding filmmakers, animators, and content creators from around the globe. Aimee took a break from staring at the screen to… stare at the screen and share her thoughts, and favorite videos!

What’s your day like at Dailymotion? How do you decide what to feature on the site?
The day usually begins and ends with me slapping on my headphones to dive into all of the recently uploaded videos from our Official Users and Motionmakers. I program videos across 18 channels organized by interest (Music, Sports, Film & TV etc) and change the homepage every day. I keep an RSS of profiles I can feature videos from - and it’s an extremely diverse list. I get to choose videos from huge media companies like MTV Networks, to online-exclusive content from Next New Networks, For Your Imagination, Vuguru, or MyDamnChannel, music videos from record labels of all sizes, and user generated content from our Motionmaker program. The homepage is purely editorial, so I’m picking content that would appeal to a broad range of interests, with an emphasis on video that is of extremely good quality and exceptionally creative.

Because of Dailymotion’s commitment to respecting copyright laws, we feature only videos from our Official Users and our Motionmakers. Our Official Users are professional content providers, and their online presence is usually not the only part of their business. Record labels, magazines, marketing companies, TV studios, and sports organizations are all included in the Official User program. Motionmakers are what make our site unique. These are users who are uploading professional-quality videos, but don’t have the backing of larger organizations. Their primary goal is usually exposure - and they represent all of the artists, musicians, filmmakers, reporters, and athletes who are raising the bar for what we think of when we think about Consumer Generated Media.

What have been some of the your favorite user submitted videos lately?
We recently ran an animation contest on the site and got some extraordinary submissions. We worked closely with Loren Bouchard, the animator behind Adult Swim shows “Lucy Daughter of the Devil” and “Home Movies” - Loren created the call-for-upload video, and judged the contest. The prize was a development deal with Loren. The winner of the contest was a young animator named Daniel Cardenas, and his winning submission remains one of my favorite videos on the site - ever.

We also have some excellent licensed music videos from indie labels both in the US and other countries that I think we help our users discover through programming:

This Motionmaker is inspired by the French music site La Blogotheque. His other videos are Athens, GA versions of La Blogotheque’s take-away shows; but he also made this beautiful music video:

This is a Motionmaker who made an innovative cover of “Umbrella” - and filmed it in a way to showcase that he plays every instrument he uses in the song:

This video was recorded using MacBook webcams:

A French Britney Spears parody band called The Spears made an amazing video about Britney’s downfall. It’s hilarious and charming. And it’s a great illustration of what’s so unique about Dailymotion. We originated in Paris, and have a huge international audience - but it’s really a global community of creative web producers. A video like this works in the US because it’s about an icon like Britney. But we also have wonderful films from international Motionmakers that have no language in them, so they play wonderfully to an international audience. And it’s nice to be able to promote their work and introduce them to an American audience:

Remi Gaillard is a French performance artist whose videos work anywhere - this video is a classic.

We have localized homepages in the US, France, UK, Germany, Poland, Spain, Italy, Russia, Belgium, a catchall International page and are adding more localizations. With that in mind, just as I can feature cool videos from our other countries, I get to suggest features for each of the other homepages. Again, videos without any dialog are universal and work great. It’s nice to be able to write to a Motionmaker to tell them - not only is your video blowing up in the US, but you now have fans in these other countries - and wild untranslated comments to go with it!

What are some of the ways people use the site besides entertainment? Are businesses using it as a promotional tool?
Absolutely. Online marketing is huge, and sometimes some really excellent videos come out of it - in fact, most of the big virals in recent weeks have been a result of online marketing, like the Levi’s pants jumping video. The best promotional videos are either really random, high-production videos that look like viral videos, but are in fact, the online equivalent of a Superbowl commercial - or, when marketers distribute full, compelling clips of TV shows or Films or great music videos. Entertainment is entertainment - if a marketer provides a hot trailer or a really great clip, I may put it on the homepage.

Do you feel breaking the site down into channels makes it easier for users to find specific content?
We try to move users around Dailymotion to point them to relevant content through the channel programming. Currently, our homepage features 18 channels with one featured video per channel. When you click on each channel, you get a featured history - so we’re presenting our past recommendations to the user as well. We have some developments underway to expand on the channel experience. Unfortunately, I can’t get into too many specifics - but I’m very excited about the idea that if you come to Dailymotion to see, for example, great Arts videos, I’ll be able to point you to a diverse offering of high quality videos across any number of possible subgenres within Arts. Each channel has the potential to become a destination rather than limiting our entry point to the homepage.

What’s the most common feedback you get from users?
I’ve learned that our Motionmakers are primarily interested in exposure, and ultimately of course, money! But I feel that everyone knows that web video has made a lot of stars, but not so much money for individuals. I also think it’s very interesting that currently, most web video creators are using internet exposure to ‘move up’ to traditional media. It makes sense from an ‘internet as star-making’ perspective - what with representatives from every major agency scouting on the web, and network development deals for series like Quarterlife (and if you haven’t seen Independent Comedy Network’s spoof: 2/8 Life)

The concept of verticals from Film & TV to the web and back is very easy for consumers to wrap their heads around - at least until the money starts to really shake out for web video. And I think it will - in fact, it already is.

The challenge is, what incentives do we provide to our Motionmakers while the dollars catch up? We’re trying to help them get that exposure through participating in established showcases like the Viral Film Festival and organizing our own. We’re doing a screening of comedy videos this month and inviting influencers in the comedy, web video, and film/tv worlds to check out our Motionmakers’ work. Future Motionmaker events will follow for the arts and music. And the contests we run on the site focus on meaningful mentorships as well as traditional prizing. In addition to the animation contest I mentioned earlier, we ran a very successful sketch comedy competition with producer Jim Biederman of Kids in the Hall and The Whitest Kids U Know, and the winners, a NYC based sketch group called the Dregs, won a development deal with Jim.

How do you combat the flow of content that is copyrighted? What is your policy?
We are probably the most progressive company in setting copyright protection policies and technologies. We have implemented audio filters and video fingerprinting from the leading technology providers. We are also signatories - along with Viacom, Disney and others - of the Copyright Principles that outline how to best protect copyrighted content on the Web.

What has been the reaction to the 18+ channel you have?
If Dailymotion is offering a wide range of channels to cater to a number of interests, the Flirt and Sexy channels are just another way to organize that content. We have a family filter in place to protect users who aren’t interested in that experience - it’s similar to a cable system where you have a wide variety of content, with channel blocking for family-safe viewing.

Where do you see consumer generated media heading in the next five years… or maybe even just five months!?
We’re emphasizing premium content though our Official User and Motionmaker programs as well as programming because we feel there is a clear distinction between user generated personal videos and user generated entertainment from professionals and semi-professionals. Individual entertainers will be become even more important as they continue to create more content specifically for the web.

We’re doing out part to kick off the biggest global sporting event of the year — the 2008 Summer Olympics — by launching a greuling trivia contest based around the Olympics. Dozens of fanatic sports bloggers have contributed some very challenging questions (we hope you’re up on your fencing trivia!). A gold medal prize of a Nintendo Wii stocked with sports games awaits the winner. Find out more about the prizes, the rules, and the great sports bloggers that helped us build this brain-busting challenge.

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In its fifth and final season for Bravo, Project Runway premieres this week with a whole new slew of wannabe designers ready to live out their wildest fashion fantasies. We figured the best people to talk to about this undoubtedly benchmark season are two guys who seem to know it best–Tom Fitzgerald and Lorenzo Marquez of noted fan blog “Project Rungay.” Not only does the pair extensively blog about every style that goes down the runway (don’t get too comfy in those judging chairs Nina Garcia and Michael Kors), but they also keep fans updated on any and all Project Runway mumblings during the season. Project Rungay doesn’t take a break when the series does, Tom and Lorenzo (they write together as “TLo”) update the blog almost daily with news and correspondence from past contestants and judges, exclusive contests for PR swag, and their own “in or out” observations on celebrity fashion. Read on to find out their opinions on Runway’s Season 5, the show’s move to Lifetime, and what to wear what NOT to wear this summer. Give your own opinions on Project Rungay here.

Q: In any other context this would sound creepy, but what are you wearing right now?
Oh, so it’s gonna be THAT kind of interview, is it? We’re gonna wind up killing our image by admitting this, but we are currently sporting shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops. Hey, blogging is hard work and you have to dress comfortably.

Q: Was it one episode, or one personality that began your initial blogging romance with Project Runway?
Oh, one personality, definitely. That juggernaut of fabulosity and attitude, Miss Laura Bennett. Truth be told, it was the vintage Louis Vuitton that hooked us, but then it turned out she’s a fantastic designer and a hoot to boot.

Q: Do you watch many reality shows? What makes Project Runway different from other competition reality shows?
Define “many.” We tend to check out all the reality shows on Bravo at least once, but we’ve only ever become fans of PR, Top Design and Shear Genius with Top Chef getting an honorable mention. As for other networks, we don’t watch American Idol but we can admit we have a guilty pleasure in The Biggest Loser. Yes, yes, it’s inspirational but really, we tune in to watch fat people cry.

Q: If you could create a challenge to be aired on the show, what would it entail?
Drag queens. And lots of them.

Q: What mistakes do you think that real men and women make with everyday fashion?
It all boils down to one mistake: not knowing their bodies and what looks good on them. Sometimes that means not dressing age appropriately but more commonly, it means not wearing the right sizes and colors.

Q: Have you ever been confronted by a celebrity that you have blogged about? (Perhaps “Frau Seal” [Heidi Klum]?)
Darling, this may come as something of a shock to you, but blogging isn’t generally all that glamorous. Fabulous as we are, we don’t tend to run in the same circles as celebrities. Unless you’re talking about reality show “celebrities,” in which case they just refuse to have their pictures taken with us.

Q: As you’ve blogged about, Project Runway is going through a lot of changes next season. How do you feel about the show’s move to Lifetime? How do you think the Season 6 contestants’ experience will change by being in LA instead of New York?
We’re…wary about the Lifetime deal. We won’t make a lot of doom and gloom predictions, but there’s a major demographic shift when you move from a network like Bravo to one like Lifetime and with that shift, inevitable concessions will come. It remains to be seen what, if anything will change about the show once it’s in L.A. We’re dreading one dreary red carpet challenge after another.

Q: Which coast has better style, east or west?
East. Definitely.

Q: What TV show or TV character do you think has the best style?
Pushing Daisies looks like nothing else on TV but for sheer visual orgasmia, we have to go with Mad Men. Bullet bras and skinny ties are HOT.

Q: What did you think of the Christian Siriano-designed outfits that Whoopi Goldberg wore to the Tony awards?
Sloppy looking, but better than almost anything the Whoopster’s worn in public.

Q: What are your competitor blogs? Who do you aspire to be like?
It’s all one big, happy blogging pool. The water’s fine and all are welcome. There’s no such thing as competitors in blogging. As for who we aspire to be like, we’re not ashamed to admit that we learned a lot from the Fug Girls. They showed us how to be bitchy without being nasty.

Q: What are your thoughts on Michelle and Barack Obama’s fashion? How about Cindy and John McCain? Bill and Hilary Clinton?
To be honest, we haven’t thought about it much. Too much emphasis is put on style in the political arena. They all dress appropriately for themselves and the circles in which they travel. They’re politicians (and co-politicians). So long as they’re well-presented and not showing up in an “I’m With Stupid” t-shirt, it’s all good.

Q: Who are the biggest divas in the fashion world right now?
Miss Karl Lagerfeld. Although she was a bigger diva when she was fat. We miss the fan.

Q: What do you think Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi should wear to their wedding?
Whatever flatters them and makes them feel comfortable. But no tuxes. Or sneakers.

Q: What styles are in and out for summer? (Or, should we really toss our cargo shorts and wedged espadrilles?)
You can probably still get some wear out of the espadrilles, but the cargo shorts and the capris need to go. A walking short is more flattering than the capris, which gives even the slimmest women cankles and the cargo is just so OVER.

Check out a preview of Season 5 here.

Bloggers Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan are the sass and snark behind online celebrity fashion rag Go Fug Yourself–a blog devoted, but not limited to, putting those who trot down the red carpet in their places. When celeb clothing choices lean more towards abhor than couture, the gals deem them “fugly”–their own adjective, a contraction of “fantastically ugly.” GFY was praised as “viciously funny” by our friends at The Hollywood Reporter and has been named as a favorite by Vanity Fair, Entertainment Weekly, The Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle Magazine. Heather and Jessica took a break from promoting their new book, “The Fug Awards,” to tell us about their bad-fashion passion…and how to stay off their homepage!

Q: How did you get started blogging about fashion and how did that turn into Go Fug Yourself.

JESSICA: GFY was how we started blogging about fashion! We just sort of started it as a joke between the two of us. We never thought anyone else would read it.
HEATHER: It was a goofy trip to the mall that turned into us cracking up at all the mannequins and movie posters that were supposedly so stylish and appealing, but actually looked terrible. That spiraled into us taking those jokes to the Internet, and four years later, we’re still going.

Q: Have you ever met or been confronted by a celebrity that you blogged about?

J: Not that I can remember. We’ve definitely never been confronted. We HAVE been in the same room with celebrities we’ve written about — usually at fashion week — and I usually have to think back to what I’ve written them to make sure it wasn’t too evil.
H: We’ve gotten e-mails from a couple of them, but the actual well-known people who’ve contacted us — like Elisha Cuthbert from “24,” for instance — have all been incredibly cool and good-humored about it. The crankier ones are the lesser-knowns. We actually got an email from a “Random Fug” girl whose name we didn’t mention in the post — she was a girl at a red-carpet event that we’d never seen before and didn’t recognize — and she read it and was furious not about us hating her outfit, but that we didn’t think she was as famous as SHE thought she was. She actually asked us to edit her credits and name into the piece. We laughed and laughed and laughed. And never edited it. Amusingly, just the other night I saw her co-hosting an infomercial for a pill that, er, increases a man’s private girth. I’ll be sure to mention that if we ever fug her again — you know, in the name of being thorough.

Q: Which celebrity do you think should heed most to the old adage “Look in the mirror before you leave the house and take one thing off” …or, maybe even put one more thing on?

J: I think we all wish Lindsay Lohan would look in the mirror and put on some pants!
H: I used to feel that way about Hilary Duff, who would just swallow her neck in string after string of cheap-looking necklaces. She’s gotten better about that, though. I most recently felt it about Megan Ward at the Daytime Emmys. That outfit was a casserole of disaster.

Q: If you were trapped in a closet (sans R. Kelly) and only have pieces from Lindsay Lohan’s legging’s line, Chloe Sevigny’s Opening Ceremony Collection, and a trunk of Bai Ling’s old Halloween costumes to choose from, which would you choose to cover yourself?

J: Oh, that’s a good question. I think I’m going with Chloe. I feel confident that there’s something in there that won’t make me look too much like Donna Martin circa 1993.
H: I don’t WANT to be trapped in a closet without R. Kelly, so hopefully it will never come to pass. I’m going to go with Bai Ling’s old Halloween costumes, because I like to think that on Halloween, she would try to dress up as something DIFFERENT than what she usually is, and therefore half of them might actually cover my navel and reach as far down as my mid-thigh region.

Q: LiLo issues aside, why do you hate on leggings so much?

J: I just think leggings are kind of needless. They’re rarely flattering, and half the time you could wear tights instead and look much more streamlined. People write to us sometimes and point out that they’re comfortable, but so are sweats, you know? I am sure part of it is that I already lived through leggings once (and wore them!) so my leggings tolerance is all used up.
H: That’s got to be part of it. It’s like, “Really? This again? Did we not LEARN already how annoying it is to take your leggings off at the end of the day and have those little indents in your skin from the elastic waist that comes up to your ribcage?” But, amen to all the stuff about how they’re usually unflattering. I see them almost as an extension of when people wear dresses over jeans or other pants. Just wear tights! It’ll look better, I swear.

Q: What is one trend from yore that you think should never be ressurrected? What’s something you’re seeing now that you wish you could blast back to the past?

J: Speaking of leggings…I just pray stirrup pants don’t truly come back.
H: Seriously. I would’ve said high-waisted jeans, but OOPS, they totally did come back, the bastards. So I’ll put in a vote against snap-crotch bodysuits ever getting resurrected.

Q: Everyone makes mistakes once in a while when it comes to what they wear, but what are some cardinal rules that celebrities ignore that land them on the homepage of Go Fug Yourself? Who are your favorite fashion disasters to write about?

J: I’d say the biggest mistake, truly, is when people wear clothes that don’t fit them properly — either way too small and falling-off too big. It’s not as sexy to write about as, say, wearing pasties instead of a top, but it’s something we see a lot. I do enjoy writing about the celebrities who really wear outlandish, crazy stuff, though. Bai Ling, for example, is always good for a chuckle.
H: Another problem is when people look quirky just for the sake of quirky. You can kind of tell the difference between someone who’s style is genuinely offbeat and a reflection of who they are — I would say Rihanna falls into this category, for which I give her credit, even though I think she’s hit-or-miss; Juliette Lewis kinda fits into that category too — and people who are just spinning around in their closet picking things out at random because they think crazy is cool. Samaire Armstrong used to be that girl and it drove me nuts. Like, four wrongs — or even four maybes — do not make a right, so please, recheck your math.

Q: Did you see “Sex and the City: The Movie“? Do you think Patricia Fields’ costume design added to the characters and story?

J: We did see it. I said at the time that I could have watched it on mute and be perfectly happy — I think the clothes were the most interesting part. Though I don’t know that they added to the story, actually. In many ways, I think the movie was too concerned with clothing. We didn’t need so many montages, and so many plot points about shoes and purses. The clothes were great and fun, but they should have been great and fun and never commented on. It started to feel like they were more important than the story itself, which hurt the film overall, I think.
H: I completely agree. The clothes were a monster of their own creation that ended up swallowing the whole enterprise. Not that they weren’t entertaining, but after a while it felt like if I had to describe Carrie Bradshaw to someone who never watched the show, I would say, “She is a writer who somehow affords really, really crazy and unrealistically expensive stuff.”

Q: What TV show or TV character do you think has the best style?

J: Ooh, that’s a great question. I think Mad Men has the best style on TV, hands down. I can’t get enough of the crazy clothes they give Chuck Bass on Gossip Girl (and I think Gossip Girl is really fun, style-wise, in general, although it’s way over the top). And when it comes to clothes real people could get away with wearing, Alyson Hannigan’s character on How I Met Your Mother wears reliably cute clothes.
H: Going in a different direction, I’m watching reruns of the first season of “Felicity,” and I thought they did a great job costuming Keri Russell. Not because I loved the khakis and huge sweaters, but because I felt like it was brave to keep her clad in stuff that a shy girl living in New York and a winter climate for the first time WOULD have worn during that era. Totally felt true to the character. Nowadays they’d be like, “Okay, she’s sort of shy and geeky, but she’s SKINNY, right? Can’t we put her in spandex tank tops all the time until we have to have it snow?” As far as what show or person has clothes I actually like, for MYSELF, Jess is right that Alyson Hannigan always looks great. And they give Sophia Bush a lot of really cute dresses on One Tree Hill. I will forever lament the cancellation of “Cashmere Mafia,” too, because Pat Field was cracking me up with the stuff on that show. Lucy Liu went jogging in a huge fur vest. I mean, that’s priceless.

Q: In your opinion, what is (or was) the best reality makeover show? (Ex: “What Not To Wear” US or UK, “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style,” “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” “Extreme Makeover,” “The Swan,”…)

J: I LOVED “Queer Eye” when it first kicked off. It was so fresh-feeling at the time and so much fun. I really enjoy “What Not to Wear (US)” too. “The Swan,” on the other hand, was kind of fascinating for 10 minutes and then totally freaked me out.
H: I’ve actually only ever seen two of those — some “Queer Eye” episodes and two episodes of Tim Gunn’s show. I’d agree that the first season of “Queer Eye” worked well for me. I’m more of a sucker for interior-design makeover shows, though. I was a “Trading Spaces” junkie for a while back in the day, and whenever I turn on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” I get all excited for those people who are getting brand new stuff they truly need. See? I have a heart! For real!

Q: Do you watch “Project Runway“? If you could create a fashion competition reality show, who would be your judges?

J: I love Runway! I think I’d want Karl Lagerfeld, Naomi Campbell, and Anna Wintour. If only to witness their own interpersonal interactions.
H: Definitely Lagerfeld. Always and forever. Maybe Glenda Bailey from Harper’s Bazaar, who seems like she has a wicked sense of humor. I’d also want to keep Michael Kors because I find him divine, and then maybe I’d kidnap Cate Blanchett and force her to do it — she’s got such an avant-garde eye sometimes that I’d love to hear her talk more about clothes. To host? Clearly Stephen Colbert, because it makes no sense and therefore makes PERFECT sense.

Q: What band or artist do you think has the best taste in clothing? The worst?

J: That’s tough. I have to say that whenever Beyonce’s mother dresses her, it’s kind of a mess. Kelly Clarkson, as much as I love her, is usually poorly turned out. But there is hope! Fergie used to look CRAZY and she looks adorable almost all the time now.
H: I’d add Nelly Furtado to the “worst” list — that girl drives me bananas. As for my favorites… I find musicians, more than most, have a Jekyll/Hyde thing going because there’s often this chasm between their red-carpet wear and their performance-wear. Carrie Underwood seems to have a screw loose when she’s choosing what to wear on stage. Alicia Keys is all over the place too. So is Gwen Stefani, who can look fabulous for the paparazzi and then will go on-stage dressed like a half-hearted pirate.

Q: If you could have any celebrity’s stylist dress you for an awards show, who’s would it be?

J: I would have to say Rachel Zoe, just for the stories I might get out of it.
H: Yeah, as much as I am not a fan of her in some ways, she does nail it with a lot of her clients — Jennifer Garner being one in particular. I will say Tina Knowles, Beyonce’s mother. Not because I think it would be successful, but because I want to see Jessica’s face when I show up in ruffled hot pants.

Q: What is some good advice that men and women can follow to stay in the good graces of the 2008 fashion gods?

J: Just stay away from Hammer pants.
H: We should all have that tattooed on our souls.

Screen time of the average American continues to increase with TV users watching more TV than ever before (127 hrs, 15 min per month), while also spending 9% more time using the Internet (26 hrs, 26 min per month) from last year.  At the same time, a small but growing number of Internet and mobile phone users are watching video online (2 hrs, 19 min per month), as well as using their cell phones to watch video (3 hrs, 15 min per month).

The New York Times takes a closer look… you can read it on your mobile phone or computer.

Do you find yourself watching more TV, viewing more online video, and streaming more media on your phone as compared to a year ago?

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
For those looking to celebrate America sans massive CGI explosions, this could be the Fourth of July flick for you and the fam. Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine) stars in this first film based on the wildly popular, historically themed, American Girl books.

Hancock
On of Hollywood’s most clean-cut and bankable stars, Will Smith, is back on the big screen a… dysfunctional, misanthropic quasi-homeless super-hero!? Looking to rethink the superhero summer blockbuster, Hancock is a comedy/action flick set to take big risks while still having an explosion filled great time. As of blog-press time the question remains, will this be where the Fresh Prince jumps the shark, or will this be the kind of refreshing blast of revision that the genre needs?

Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Guillermo del Toro’s 2004 film Hellboy is one of the action genre’s best kept secrets, critically admired, but doomed to an indifferent box office. Well, comic book fans rejoice, Hellboy is back and ready to sarcastically kick butt. With Pan’s Labyrinth wunderkind del Toro remaining in the director’s chair look for this movie to be an artfully put together spectacle.

Journey to the Center of the Earth
This summer’s only 3D film, follows Brendan Fraser down to the center of the earth — in search of oil to ease summer gas prices? — no, to find his missing brother. The trailer promises many PG-rated terror, creatures, and adventure.

Meet Dave
Stepping out of his last fat suit vehicle, Norbit, Eddie Murphy is set to star in this sci-fi comedy that looks like a cross between Borat and Men in Black. The famous funnyman will lend his charisma to a script penned by former Mystery Science Theater 3000 writer Bill Corbett.

Dark Knight
Among the summer’s most blogged-about film, The Dark Knight is the sequel to  Batman Begins, and is the late Heath Ledger’s last completed role on film. Ledger’s turn as the Joker has already earned him Oscar murmurings and expectations couldn’t be higher for the caped crusader’s most recent foray onto the big screen. Only time will tell if this Batman is up for this truly super human task.

Mamma Mia! The Movie
Okay, so this summer’s movie selection tends to be a bit heavy on the testosterone, what with the explosions and the superheroes and all. So, for those who are looking for something a bit different, there’s Mama Mia! The Movie, based on the smash hit Broadway revue. Meryl Streep and more channel their inner ABBA as wedding bells ring.

X-Files: I Want to Believe
Just when you thought you were cool enough to stop declaring yourself an X-Phile, special agents Mulder and Scully suck you right back in with the promise of this latest cinematic installment in the storied franchise. The film has been kicked around in development for years and the studio has kept very tight lips on the film’s plot, but sci-fi fans “want to believe” this movie will be a winner.

Step Brothers
After hanging up the skates and the white afro, Will Ferrell is teaming up with Walk Hard star John C. Reilly in this comedy about fully grown men acting like children. The duo, who worked together famously on Ferrell’s Talladega Nights, play spurious step brothers who ultimately become best friends.

Wall-E
Set in a dystopian future where mankind has abandoned earth (which resembles a global landfill), one adorable robot will find out the meaning of true love via a zany inter-galactic romp. Fresh off of the success of Ratatouille, the good folks at Pixar are looking to spin more of their patented magic over and leave audience’s hearts wonderfully warmed.

Wanted
Based on the sordid (and widely acclaimed) comic book mini-series, this summer actioner is the only CGI explosion-fest to feature Angelina Jolie in the cast, and looks to keep summer movie goers ears ringing for weeks after leaving the local Googaplex. Look for this flashy feature to include high-octane car chases, heart stopping bullet-time action sequences, and of course, lots of huge explosions.

Trumbo (limited release)
A documentary about the once-blacklisted author Dalton Trumbo (Johnny Got His Gun, Sparticus) as told through archival footage and dramatic readings by top actors.

But who really was George Carlin? He explains it better than anyone:

Bad Karma: A steady flow of bad reviews perhaps kept viewers away from The Love Guru, the new Mike Myers movie (which the the NY Times called “antifunny“). The flick opened in fourth place while the big-screen version of the spy vs. spy tv show Get Smart nabbed the #1 spot.

Shutter Thugs: A group of surfers tangles with photographers trying to snap pictures of a shirtless (surprise!) Matthew McConaughey. Oh, and two years later, Woody Harrelson gets sued for allegedly assaulting a photographer and breaking his video camera.

What R U Debating Now?: Political soundbites and spin are being reduced to 140 characters of text as the Obama and McCain camps go at it, Twitter style.

We’ll pick a winner from members who have the most correct answers (check the Official Rules).

Prizes include an iPod Touch (yes, that’s the cool one), a year’s worth of Netflix DVDs, movie tickets, and credits for movie and music downloads.

Have a great summer and good luck!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Million Dollar Password: TV’s Million Dollar Game Show emcee of choice, Regis Philbin, hosts this update of the classic game show ‘Password,’ where celebrities help contestants win as much as, you guessed it, one million dollars.

Legally Blonde The Musical - The Search For Elle Woods: The movie that was based on a book and then became a musical is now a TV show that sets out to find the lead for the musical… which we’re guessing is probably going to be made into another movie, which will be turned into…

Greatest American Dog: Who doesn’t love a stupid pet trick? If this show catches on, perhaps they’ll expand it internationally to include more than American Dogs… but maybe German Shepherds, French Poodles, and Irish Wolfhounds are already eligible for this show through some sort of international work visa program — we’re not sure.

Celebrity Circus: So You Think You Can Trapeze? This series follows the famous and semi-famous in their quest to be circus stars. We’re afraid of clowns, so you’ll have to watch and tell us how it is.

Wipeout: Braving mud and more across extreme obstacle courses, two dozen contestants each week compete for $50,000.

I Survived A Japanese Game Show: Americans travel abroad to compete in / be humiliated by a zany Japanese Game Show for cash prizes… probably a good deal considering the exchange rate.

Hopkins: No fun and games here… a documentary crew was allowed to follow a team at the famous Johns Hopkins Hospital for this gritty six-part series.

High School Musical: Get In The Picture: Singer, celebrity dancer, and now reality show host Nick Lachey oversees a talent search for the next round of High School Musical stars. Can a show about their eager stage moms fawning over Nick be far behind?