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It’s arguable that Marvel Comics’ Ultimates series — a modern re-tool of the classic Avengers team — is the biggest breadwinner the company has seen in years. Not the actual comic books, really, since we know that print comics still don’t enjoy mainstream success. These days, the money is all at the movies.

First came a series of successful animated DVDs. Then, when the company took over production of their officially licensed movies with Iron Man and Hulk (2008), it announced that most of the next 5 years of big-screen comic features will be devoted to the slate of characters on the Ultimates team, with another Iron Man movie, a Captain America feature and a blow-out movie featuring the entire Avengers line-up. And, considering the quality of the first few Ultimates comics series — and the box-office success of Iron Man and the Hulk — it was a good move. Samuel Jackson as Nick Fury? That’s how he was drawn in the Ultimates years before these movies were mentioned.

But then why would you kill the goose that laid the golden egg? I’m not saying that Marvel is canceling the Ultimates comic. On the contrary, I wish they would. (more…)

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When we saw the headline, we thought the guy paid two million bucks to lunch with Jimmy Buffett. But this, this makes much more sense.

For those awaiting the forthcoming Tampa Ikea store…

We heart this article on catchphrases. It is what it is, you know?

Nelson Mandela’s 90th b-day concert drew pretty much, um, everyone. Even Ms. Winehouse.

Getting outta dodge for the Fourth of July? Be green while doing it.

Are you fueling your Corvette today in anticipation of tomorrow’s festivities? Yeppers, it seems the House has just discovered irony. Again.

The online sweatshop?

Today in creative euphemisms: “Among high-stakes professionals,” gambling is a “lifestyle and a passion.”

Obamapalooza continues.

Exile in “Why”-ville: Russia’s ex-pat biweekly is nyet more.

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Stan Winston, a true artist of moviemaking, has passed away after a long battle with cancer. He was 62.

From Jurassic Park to Aliens to Terminator 2 to this summer’s Indy Jones installment and Iron Man, Winston was the effects wizard responsible for theater upon theater chock full of dropped jaws.

In a 2003 BBC interview, Winston said, “I don’t do special effects. I create characters, and I use the tools of special effects necessary to do it.”

Winston did more than create characters. He made magic happen.

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This weekend at the box office: Hulk sees green, M. Night Shamalamadingdong’s latest places third.

Honda goes down to zero, celebs get first dibs as usual. Dang.

Tim Russert’s son, Luke: The (very good) apple doesn’t fall far.

Stockpiling food? Think twice about your favorite canned meat: Spam is spendy.

Whoopi, meet Tony. Tony, meet Whoopi. And some awards were given out, too.

It’s too early for us to read this, but…

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Get down, downtown, tonight, when Digital 3 and Orange Press present a shindig in celebration of the O.P.’s latest issue, its Coloring Book edition (yep, with color, too - a first for the pub).

The party starts at 7, with live music gearing up shortly thereafter and a DJ taking over at 11 p.m. There’s a $10 cover, discounted if you come dressed “richer or poorer.”

D3’s at 1419 Blvd. of the Arts in the SRQ. Contact # is 330-9159. See ya there.

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In honor of the U.S. Open teeing off today in California, here are a few of the best golf video clips ever, from Caddyshack of course.

And it’s really important to have this one from Tin Cup, perhaps the only other decent golf movie ever made.

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The Caribbean Monk seal will soon be off the endangered species list, but only because it’s officially extinct.

• Don’t believe in God? Well, neither does this guy and he took out a billboard to prove it.

• Is Barack Obama an enlightened being?

• Is this the end of the Clinton era?

• Sign that John McCain is in trouble: Robert Novak is calling McCain talking points silly and stupid.

• McCain may be running on the ticket of the “family values” party, but what about the wife he so callously left behind?

• In the lighter side, here’s a look at some really strange festivals in Europe, including Greece’s phallus fest.

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Goodbye, Bo, 1928-2008.

Mr. Pitt, hotelier. Can we get the corporate rate?

O’Neal attempts a Ryder, claims she’s “researching a part.” Um, yeah, perhaps the McEnroe defense next time?

She’s no good. Admittedly.

“Thank you for having the courage to stick with the obvious, yet still hilarious joke.” Indeed.

Jezebel weighs in on the Yves Saint Laurent obits.

Vuja de at the movies, once more. Again.

Speaking of which, no surprise here. And yeah, it really wasn’t that great.

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I was biking down Cocoanut Avenue this morning when a truck passed me going the other way, carrying some strangely out-of-context cargo. The black-robed, gold-faced figures from the Sarasota Season of Sculpture’s “Serenissima” were gazing eerily at the receding road.

By the end of last week, nearly all of the Season of Sculpture pieces were removed from the bayfront. Only Christine Desiree’s “Pulse” remains. The exhibition reprises every two years, and Sarasota will get a new crop of sculptures in November 2009.

But please remain seated. There will be an Interlude. The non-profit Sarasota Season of Sculpture will use this in-between period to showcase sculpture throughout the city, in a project titled “Interlude.”

Among the plans for Interlude: (more…)

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What with the estrogen-fest Sex and the City movie coming out tonight, here are a few macho expletive and/or violence laden video clips that us men can enjoy.

OK, this first one is just cool because it’s Tom Waits:

Continuing in the melodic vein, here’s a clip from the greatest muscial ever made: South Park, Bigger, Longer and Uncut. This is the song that should have gotten the Oscar nomination, not the lame-o Blame Canada.

And from the movie, Rambo III, that gave us the immortal line, “God must love crazy people; he made so many of them.”

The best fight ever captured on film. Period. Bruce Lee. Chuck Norris. ‘Nuff said.

And what would a collection of violence be without Kimbo Slice? Here are his greatest hits:

Mixed martial artist Bas Rutten gives the lowdown on bar fighting:

To wrap it up, let’s give a nod to women that kick ass, Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon:

Feel free to add your own links in the comments area.

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