READ: MY 10 FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2014

10. "THE TROOP" NICK CUTTER

Good horror can be hard to come by. The genre is nowhere near as popular as it was when I was in high school (during the mid-90's), but there are still some worthwhile works coming out of it. This tale of a small Scout camping trip gone horribly wrong is certainly one of them. It manages to perfectly capture the atmosphere of such groups (at least as I remember them), while also being one of the year's creepiest (and grossest) reads.

9. "THE SECOND AMENDMENT: A BIOGRAPHY" MICHAEL WALDMAN

Every non-fiction book is of course going to have a bias to it, in particular when covering such a hot button topic, so you may as well pick one that shares your own. If you feel that we should have no restrictions on firearm ownership then this is probably not the book for you. If you feel that the NRA are a bunch of gun-toting lunatics, this might be more up your alley, and help provide you with some useful ammunition against the aforementioned lunatics.

8. "THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD" MICHAEL KORYTA

It's hard to beat a good thriller, and there were probably very few better than this one this year. The twisty, suspenseful plot is reason enough to recommend this book, but the super-creepy bad guys make it even better. Almost a horror novel, this one might have you checking the locks before bed.

7. "REDEPLOYMENT" PHIL KLAY

We all know that war is horrible, but I don't think many of us realize just how bad it can be. This collection of short stories does an incredible job of helping the reader to really understand just how rough our soldiers and their support staff have had it during our recent campaigns in the Middle East. It can be a bit depressing (and understandably so), but it will make you realize just how good you've got it.

6. "I AM PILGRIM" TERRY HAYES

Probably the year's best action-suspense tale. While everything about this book is very memorable, the impending terrorist attack the main character is fighting to prevent is one of the most plausibly frightening scenarios set to paper in recent memory. It's hard to believe just how quickly one finishes this not-insubstantial book in the race to get to the finish and see how it all ends.

5. "NO GOOD MEN AMONG THE LIVING" ANAND GOPAL

It's unlikely to be much of a surprise to anyone that our intervention in Afghanistan has royally fucked things up in the country, but I don't know that anyone outside it really understands by just how much. This important book takes a look at the situation on the ground from the perspective of the Afghan people living the consequences of our leaders' actions. A necessary read for anyone who wants a better understanding of the situation.

4. "STATION ELEVEN" EMILY ST. JOHN MANDEL

A post-apocalyptic, literary masterpiece. It uses the tale of a wandering symphony in a desolate, Michigan wasteland to show us the wonder of life as we know it, and just how much even the smallest of our actions can mean to the lives of others.

3. "ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE" ANTHONY DOERR

This tale of a blind French girl and a German boy over the course of World War II is a perfect representation of what historical fiction should be. While it is at times quite a harrowing tale, it is often filled with beauty, of the sort that only the hardest of hearts won't find incredibly moving.

2. "THE BONE CLOCKS" DAVID MITCHELL

The 5 novellas that comprise this book, each told from a different perspective and in a different voice, all tell one overarching narrative, about a woman who finds herself unexpectedly entangled in a battle between forces of good and evil. It can be thrilling, funny, sad, fantastical, and sweet, but most importantly of all, it is always riveting.

1. "THE FIRST FIFTEEN LIVES OF HARRY AUGUST" CLAIRE NORTH

Possibly the most novel book I've read in a long time. I went into it knowing virtually nothing about what would transpire, as the jacket is very vague, and I think that is the best way to experience it. For most of the time I had literally no idea where the plot was headed, and as such I don't think I had more fun reading a book this year. It doesn't hurt that it's filled with big ideas and some fantastic dialogue to boot.

LISTEN: TOP 100 SONGS OF 2014

Another year is coming to a close, and with it comes a desire to look back at everything that took place. As many other sites and publications tend to do, I will be wrapping the year up with a series of lists and charts detailing what my favorite things were throughout the course of 2014. To start things off, here is my list of the top 100 songs of the year. This is determined solely by how many times I listened to each song, according to last.fm, which seems like a good indication of just how much I liked each track, although it should be noted that songs that were released at the end of the year did have a bit of a disadvantage as a result.

HOTTIE OF THE WEEK: PETE DAVIDSON

via Variety

To say the current season of "Saturday Night Live" is off to a rocky start might be somewhat of an understatement. Sure, there have been some stand out bits, and even a few that have managed to go viral, but for every genuinely funny sketch there are at least 2 that barely elicit a smirk. One of the few bright spots to emerge has been young comedian Pete Davidson, whose appearances have largely been among each episode's funniest. It doesn't hurt that he also has a goofy cuteness about him, and as it turns out, is in surprisingly good physical shape.

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READ: "STATION ELEVEN" BY EMILY ST. JOHN MANDEL

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There's a good reason this book has been appearing on so many of this year's best lists. It tells the tale of our world in the not too distant future, after a major flu outbreak has all but wiped out humanity, something which is all too possible and portrayed here with frightening realism. A few survivors are followed throughout the story, as they struggle to survive, both before and after the catastrophe. The prose is beautiful and the characters wonderful, the plot may seem to meander at times, but it all comes together in the end, to show how the actions of one can have an effect on so many, and even the most seemingly inconsequential events can have such great meaning over the course of time. A literary masterpiece, and easily one of the year's best books.

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READ: "THE MEANING OF HUMAN EXISTENCE" BY EDWARD O. WILSON

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book may not be very long, but it does leave you with a lot to think about. The title is somewhat misleading, as of course that answer isn't really provided. I can't say I expected it would be as that is possibly something we can't ever really "know". That being said, the essays within leave you with a lot of pieces of the puzzle to help you piece it together as best as possible for yourself. Much of the book focuses on the scientific reasons for our existence, meaning evolution, but not just of the physical variety, but also the sociological, which provided for many of the book's most fascinating moments. I don't know that I feel all that much closer to understanding the meaning of human existence, but I do feel I learned some interesting things about the very nature of humanity, and that's something.

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OPINION: TAYLOR SWIFT IS JUST GREEDY

There probably aren't too many people that don't have at least some knowledge of Taylor Swift's recent decision to remove her entire catalog from streaming music service Spotify. The story was picked up by many media outlets when it broke, and has been inspiring many artists to speak out and offer their take on the matter since then. Suffice it to say that the decision hasn't exactly hurt sales of Ms. Swift's latest album, but it is also worth noting that she is one of the few people in the music industry at the moment who could realistically afford such a move, especially in light of Billboard's recent announcement that they will begin counting song streams towards their Top 200 albums chart.

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HOTTIE OF THE WEEK: GRANT GUSTIN

via Fitmales

There was never any denying that Grant Gustin was attractive, but during his screen time on "Glee" his character was such an unrepentant asshole, it was hard to think anything remotely positive about him. Now though, with his new role as superhero on the CW's "Flash", it is far easier to get into him, and given the nature of CW programming, it is also far more likely to see him get out of his clothing.

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READ: "THE BONE CLOCKS" BY DAVID MITCHELL

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

David Mitchell is one of the best authors working today, and his latest novel only serves to solidify that opinion. Much like his previous work, "Cloud Atlas", "The Bone Clocks" is structured as a series of unique, but interconnected novellas. Unlike "Cloud Atlas" however, this book functions much more as a logical, complete story. In the first section we meet British teenager Holly Sykes, who runs away from home after a fight with her mother and a bad breakup with her first boyfriend. Each section after that is from a different person's perspective, and is written in their unique voices, with Holly appearing in each to varying degrees of importance. As things move along, it also becomes gradually more and more apparent that something fantastical in nature is occurring and that all the characters so far are somehow involved, before the 5th section, when the book goes into all out fantasy mode. Some don't like the very bleak, sci-fi 6th section that wraps things up, but I personally loved it, and felt it provided just the right amount of closure without being cloyingly sweet. The characters in this novel are all wonderful, and there are bits of brilliant dialogue scattered heavily throughout. The overarching plot is engaging and wraps up very nicely. So many little things that happen in the beginning come back to matter at the end, it is mind-boggling just how much effort Mr. Mitchell must have to put into plotting his novels out. And the very, very end is so satisfying, it qualifies as one of the best individual "moments" in literature this year, possibly this decade. Everything that came before adds together to one perfectly planned out moment, when the ultimate message becomes clear: That everything we do matters, and all of our lives have a purpose. Honestly, I would love to know what happens next.

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HOTTIE OF THE WEEK: EDDIE REDMAYNE

via My Populars

Just what is hot can vary wildly from person to person, and English actor Eddie Redmayne may not be the typical example of hotness, but there is something about his boyish looks, red hair, and freckles that makes him irresistible. His acting chops certainly don't hurt either, as evidenced by his breakout role as Stephen Hawking in the new movie "The Theory of Everything", which already has him pegged as a strong front runner for this year's Best Actor Oscar. And as we all know, being the owner of one of those trophies doesn't exactly make anyone less sexy.

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LISTEN: AZEALIA BANKS "BROKE WITH EXPENSIVE TASTE"

It's rare that an artist comes along who so deftly blends underground credibility with pop sensibilities, but rapper Azealia Banks pulls the combination off perfectly. The driving house beats and weird techno instrumentation might keep her material off of mainstream radio, but the hooky melodies and interesting lyrics will keep you coming back for me upon first hearing them. There are 1 or 2 misfires on this album, but it is nevertheless one of the strongest LP's released this year, and definitely worth a spin. Oh, and while it doesn't matter as far as the listening experience is concerned, I love the cover art.

LISTEN: ROB CANTOR "SHIA LABEOUF LIVE"

This is easily one of the best pop tunes released all year, while also being one of the strangest. An Orson Welles sounding voice tells the tale of actor Shia LaBeouf stalking the listener through a slasher movie narrative over a jazzy beat and dramatic string arrangements, complete with a weirdly epic and catchy chorus. I am instantly in love.

HOTTIE OF THE WEEK: JACK FALAHEE

http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/rising-star-jack-falahee-joins-nicolas-cage-tokarev-exclusive-95901/

There are a lot of reasons to watch ABC's new hit show "How To Get Away With Murder". First among them would be that it's really good. But it can't be denied that the eye candy sprinkled throughout the cast isn't one of them, and being a gay man, I would of course be drawn to the show's lead gay character, Connor Walsh, being played by the very attractive Jack Falahee. He brings just the right mix of cockiness, sexuality, and menace to the part and is a very welcome addition to the TV landscape.

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READ: "ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE" BY ANTHONY DOERR

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an incredibly moving piece of fiction that anyone who loves reading owes it to themselves to check out. Telling the story of a young German boy and a young, blind French girl over the course of World War II; Anthony Doerr weaves together themes of the horrors of war, the love of one's family, and the beauty that exists in the world around us and within ourselves. The story moves forward at a quick pace and all of the characters will remain with you long after the story is over. Simply put: this is a beautiful book.

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WATCH: 10 GREAT HORROR MOVIES YOU MAY NOT HAVE SEEN

Halloween is here, which means there will be costume parties to attend, and candy to distribute, and costumes to wear. But perhaps most importantly, it means it's time to snuggle up under some blankets, grab some popcorn, and watch a good, scary movie. Of course, horror movies often aren't runaway box office successes, so finding out about a good one can be a challenge. Luckily, I've been watching said films via streaming services since September 1, and can make some recommendations for you, so here are 10 great horror movies, in alphabetical order, that the average person has probably not seen, and which in many cases even horror aficionados may not have gotten around to yet, along with links to where you can watch them online.

See the list after the jump.

READ: "20TH CENTURY GHOSTS" BY JOE HILL

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This turned out to be an ideal read for the Halloween season. While many of the short stories here have a pretty "literary" feel, and some don't necessarily qualify as horror, they each have a haunting quality about them. The characters are always engaging, and I found myself caring for most of them, which is quite a feat given how few pages some were given in which to develop. And don't mistake my earlier comments to mean there is nothing scary in this book. There are quite a few tales here that left me creeped out enough that I will likely remember them for some time to come. This collection isn't perfect, but it really shows the promise of just how great a storyteller Mr. Hill would ultimately evolve into.

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LISTEN: "MYKKI BLANCO PRESENTS GAY DOG FOOD"

It's great to know that we, as a society, have reached the point where a transgender rapper can actually achieve some degree of notoriety. Of course, there has to be more than just the inherent novelty of the concept to really pull it off, and as she has proved over the course of her previous EP's, Mykki Blanco has what it takes. "Gay Dog Food" is easily one of the year's most vital albums, from a truly unique and talented voice. The harsh techno beats and squelchy sounds combined with the alternatively sad, angry, and dirty vocals add up to essential listening for anyone at all interested in the state of music in 2014. This is a near flawless debut.

READ: JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT MOBILE PAYMENTS WERE ABOUT TO GET EASIER

There was much excitement a few weeks ago when Apple announced that they were launching an NFC payment service called Apple Pay which would allow users of their latest model iPhones to make in-store purchases using their mobile devices. Of course some, including me, pointed out that many Android users had been able to do this using Google Wallet for quite some time, but even we were excited as the hype around Apple entering the space meant that adoption for NFC payments in general was likely to skyrocket. Alas, that may not be the case. Retailers don't like that they have to pay credit card companies a fee every time someone uses one in their stores, and as such have been busy working on their own mobile payment service called CurrentC. Now, how would this save them from paying those fees, since a proper mobile payment service works like a wallet, letting you store all of your cards and pay with whichever one you choose at checkout? Well, CurrentC does not let you do that. Instead, it takes a direct debit from your bank account, with only a handful of store credit cards expected to be supported, severely restricting your options for how you would like to pay for something. Okay, you may be saying, but if it's an NFC service, they still have to have NFC readers, so I should still be able to use Apple Pay or Google Wallet or my NFC enabled credit card right? That would be accurate, except CurrentC is NOT an NFC service, instead the app generates a QR code which displays on your phone that a clerk must then scan to enable payment. And to make matters worse, many retailers that already were accepting NFC payments are now shutting the readers down in order to force shoppers to use the new service, which doesn't even launch until some time next year. Since many of the nation's largest stores are involved in this scheme, this leaves us with 2 choices. We can either trust a service that is run by our nation's retailers with our bank account information, despite their repeated demonstrations of just how poorly they protect our data already. Or we can give up on the convenience of using our phones to pay for goods in stores and continue using regular, old, insecure credit cards to pay for things, which means the stores would still be paying the same fees, and would have invested tons of money into something that nobody uses. FULL STORY (AND OUTRAGED COMMENTS): THE VERGE

PLAY: "SID MEIER'S CIVILIZATION: BEYOND EARTH"

The latest release in the long-running "Civilization" game series was released on Friday, and if you're a fan of the games, it is definitely worth your time. In some aspects it is more of the same 4X strategy gameplay you've come to know and love, even occaisionally feeling like little more than a reskinned version of "Civilization V". But there are many elements that are completely new. Most notable is perhaps the use of a "tech web" as opposed to a "tech tree". This allows for a considerably larger amount of freedom in just what direction you want your civilization to follow, and is something that would be interesting to see incorporated into the next iteration of the base game. There are quests which arise throughout gameplay as well, each offering its own challenges and rewards, which also puts an interesting spin on the formula. It is a worthy addition to the Civ family, and while it may not feel quite as different as I had hoped, it will undoubtedly still provide me hours of "just one more turn"-based entertainment.

HOTTIE OF THE WEEK: MARTIN GARRIX

This week's hottie comes to us from the world of international superstar DJ's. Dutch 18 year old Martin Garrix rocketed to stardom with the release of his hit single "Animals" last year, which even managed to make it all the way to #21 on the US Billboard Hot 100, which is pretty much unheard of for an instrumental club track. Of course, he is not being featured here because of his ability to write a catchy hook, but rather because he is flat out adorable. See for yourself below.

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SEE: 45 CREEPIEST HORROR MOVIE POSTERS

Halloween is only one week away, which means it's time to bundle up under some blankets, eat lots of candy, and watch some horror movies. If you need any inspiration for what specific films to put on, you could start with this list of the best horror movie posters. There are some real gems in there, and a couple of movies I have yet to see, but if nothing else, you can at least look at some genuinely unique pop art from the world of cinema over the last several decades. FULL STORY: ROTTEN TOMATOES

WATCH: "AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON" TRAILER

Seeing as this is the internet, and I'm talking about the next "Avengers" movie, there's a pretty good chance you already know that the trailer for it has leaked. As a result, Marvel have gone ahead and posted it officially to their YouTube account in hi-def. So, in case the bootleg copy you watched an hour ago was too grainy, or in case you didn't know yet, you can watch it below. It doesn't really reveal very much that we didn't know (or at least suspect) already, but it does look really cool. See you all in the theaters next year!

TRY: STARBUCKS' NEW HOLIDAY FLAVOR

Sure, there's a lot of important things going on in the world, but many of them are very depressing, and almost certainly receiving better coverage elsewhere than they would here. Instead, let's hear some good news, like Starbucks' announcement that beginning on November 14th they will be launching their first new holiday flavor in 5 years; the Chestnut Praline Latte. If that doesn't help put one in the Christmas spirit I don't know what will. FULL STORY: THRILLIST

LISTEN: DANCE MIX 2014 VOL. 3

Back in the 90's and somewhat into the early 2000's there was a glut of mainstream dance mix albums released on a fairly regular basis. Some of them weren't so good, but others wound up being classics in their own right. A couple of the "MTV Party To Go" and "Dance Mix USA" collections were so good I played them nearly constantly, sometimes still expecting songs to blend into the specific track that followed them on those CD's whenever I hear them to this day. There aren't nearly as many being made anymore, aside from the "Ultra.Dance" series and its offshoots, probably because streaming services sort of negate the need for them. So, in order to help me relive the glory days of the amazing dance music compilation whilst simultaneously helping to hammer the final nail in the coffin for said concept, at least in its original form, I have been putting together a semi-regular series of playlists on Spotify with the same general idea. They are designed to be listened to in the order presented, and I recommend that you turn on crossfade to 10 seconds to get the "mixed" feel, but of course you are free to listen to them however you like. Here is the most recent one to help you get your next party going strong, which features music and remixes by Avicii, Nicki Minaj, Jessie J, Kendrick Lamar, Calvin Harris, Tiësto, John Legend, Iggy Azalea, Nick Jonas, RuPaul, Charli XCX, Benny Benassi, Mary Lambert, Clean Bandit, Duke Dumont, Gorgon City, Laidback Luke, Childish Gambino, Ultra Naté, Crystal Waters, StoneBridge, TKA, Eelke Kleijn, Kele, Mr. Probz, Hostage, Dillon Francis, Harry Romero, Deorro, Alesso, Treasure Fingers, and more.

HOTTIE OF THE WEEK: JASON TAYLOR

Every fall it's hard to escape football here in the US, which can either delight or annoy you depending on your opinion of the sport. I personally don't mind it, especially when it lets me get a look at hotties like ex-player and current ESPN analyst Jason Taylor.

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NEWS: AND NOW YOU CAN WATCH CBS WITHOUT CABLE

Hot on the heels of HBO's announcement of its upcoming streaming service, CBS yesterday launched their own entry into the field; CBS All Access. The service provides next-day availability of many of the network's most popular shows, including full seasons of several, and an extensive back catalog of classic programs. While that is enticing enough, the really interesting thing about the new offering is that you can use it to watch live feeds of your local CBS station in several of the nation's top markets. Live local news has been one of the most glaring omissions in most cord-cutters' set-up but this looks to remedy the situation for many people. There are a couple caveats. First, at least for the time being, the live feed will black out during NFL games. And second, while the service does offer apps for iOS, Android, and Windows devices out of the gate, it is noticeably lacking from the most obvious places like Roku, Xbox, Playstation and Chromecast; though support for those is rumored to be in the works. TRY IT HERE: CBS ALL ACCESS

READ: THE SCIENCE OF "CIVILIZATION: BEYOND EARTH"

"Civilization: Beyond Earth" launches in exactly one week, and promises to be one of the highlights of the year for PC gamers. It's the first time the long-running series has entered the realm of science fiction since the unofficially related "Alpha Centauri" came out back in 1999, and as you can imagine, much of what we expect the future to hold has changed since then. The designers took inspiration from scientists and sci-fi authors to come up with as plausible a future for humanity as possible (while still keeping things fun), and it's interesting to see just where the game gets its ideas. FULL STORY: PC GAMER

NEWS: HBO LAUCHING STREAMING SERVICE NEXT YEAR

In news that is long overdue, and is bound to make a lot of cord-cutters very happy, HBO has just announced at a share-holder meeting that they will begin offering a standalone streaming service some time in 2015. No doubt the decision comes as a result of the success of rival Netflix, who has recently surpassed HBO in the number of total subscribers. While cable companies are undoubtedly less than thrilled, this is good news for everyone else. There is no word yet on pricing or an exact release date. FULL STORY: THE DISSOLVE

NEWS: "ARACHNOPHOBIA" NOT JUST A MOVIE ANYMORE

In news that is sure to horrify anyone with a (perfectly rational) fear of spiders, it turns out that a home in Weldon Spring, MO has been infested with thousands of venomous brown recluse spiders for at least 2 years now. In what can only be described as something out of our collective nightmares, the family was forced to abandon the house when spiders, "started bleeding out of the walls." The mortgage company that now owns the house has just this week taken action against the arachnids, covering the structure with a tarp and filling it with toxic fumes. FULL STORY: ABC NEWS

WATCH: JON STEWART POINTS OUT SOME STUNNING GREED

There is certainly no shortage of examples of greed in this country. But every now and then someone goes ahead and does something so galling, that it makes everyone else look like humanitarians by comparison. Former C.E.O. of AIG, Maurice Greenberg, has decided that he wants to take a turn at being that person. He is now suing the US government because he feels that the terms of the bailout they gave his company, which desperately needed it and voted to accept it, were unfair. Jon Stewart discussed the situation at length, and with some much needed doses of humor, on Thursday's episode of "The Daily Show", and it is absolutely required viewing. I certainly don't advocate violence against anyone, and I strongly discourage anyone from resorting to such methods against Mr. Greenberg, but while learning more about this lawsuit, it's hard not to wish ill upon him.

LISTEN: MELANIE MARTINEZ "DOLLHOUSE"

Hybridized pop and trip hop has been around for a couple decades now, so it's hardly anything new, but when it's done well it's hard to resist. On this 4-track EP, Melanie Martinez does it well. The heavy beats, techno noises, and unusual instrumentation combine with Ms. Martinez's prettily haunting vocals to create some of the best tunes the genre has seen since Jem's debut album a decade ago. "Carousel" especially stands out, and has me anxious to see what's to come from this promising new artist.

HOTTIE OF THE WEEK: NICK JONAS

I can't say I ever found any of the Jonas Brothers to be unattractive, but they weren't ever really high on my radar either. I can't say why that might have been, but I can say that Nick Jonas' recent push for a solo career has definitely captured my attention. Sure, the fairly catchy pop tunes he's been releasing recently deserve some of the credit for that, but the sudden willingness to show off his pretty buff physique all over the place (even in gay mags) isn't hurting either.

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LISTEN: JOSEF SALVAT "IN YOUR PRIME"

There's certainly no shortage of electro-pop crooners in operation at the moment, but Australian singer Josef Salvat still manages to stand out from the crowd. With influences ranging from Sia to Björk to Woodkid he combines just the right blend of deeply personal lyrics, catchy melodies, and quirky electronic flourishes to create something truly memorable. Check out this 4-track EP in advance of his forthcoming full-length album.

WATCH: GREAT OUIJA BOARD PRANK

Who knows whether upcoming toy-based horror film "Ouija" will be any good, but at least we get to see this bit of clever viral marketing to support it. They set up quite the scary little scenario for these unsuspecting Brooklynites, and have created what is easily one of the year's funniest videos.

NEWS: DON'T SHARE YOUR USB DEVICES

In case you hadn't yet heard, it is officially no longer safe to share any devices that you plug in via USB with other computers. Of course, one doesn't find a lot of instances of people sharing mice, keyboards, or webcams; so those wouldn't seem like such an obvious threat. But one does see a lot of people using USB flash drives to carry around and easily access all manner of important files. Unfortunately, these devices can very easily be turned into hosts for malware that is then transferred to any computer they come in contact with post-infection. So, it is probably best if you finally take the plunge and start using cloud storage. And if you must use a flash drive, make sure you only plug it in to devices that you, personally, are 100% sure have not been in contact with a USB device that has been in contact with any shared computers. FULL STORY: THE VERGE

NEWS: NBC40 TO CLOSE BY YEAR'S END?

In a move that is unlikely to surprise anyone, the new owners of Atlantic City's NBC affiliate are rumored to be telling employees that the station will be going dark on December 31. It certainly wasn't a very good station, with a pretty obviously low production budget and a history of relatively poor coverage of any "local" news story that got more than a few minutes away from Atlantic City itself, but the news still inspires feelings of sadness. I can't say I watched the channel very often growing up, as it often felt that any major news stories in the Cape May area were better covered by some of the Philadelphia network affiliates, and I definitely haven't watched it lately as I have long since "cut the cord", and am therefore not watching any local news programming, but I do follow TV40's team of meteorologists on Facebook, and I find them all to be very entertaining and informative, and I hope they manage to land on their feet if this news turns out to be true. There is still no mention of the news on the channels official webpage, so it may wind up just being a rumor, but if it's not, I wish all the best to everyone who would be losing their jobs as a result. FULL STORY: FTVLIVE

USE: PUSHBULLET

Find yourself missing phone calls or text messages while you're at your computer? Maybe you had Spotify cranked up too loud, or maybe you forgot to unmute your phone? Perhaps you just didn't want to be bothered to pick it up and see what it said? Well worry no more. Thanks to Pushbullet, you can have all of your phone's notifications sent to your computer, and can even respond to text messages without ever touching your phone. It works with a wide variety of software and devices, and once you start using it, it quickly becomes one of those things that you wonder how you ever lived without. GET IT HERE: PUSHBULLET

HOTTIE OF THE WEEK: ERIC DECKER

Some of you may recall that at one time this site was becoming moderately popular for its "Hottie of the Week" posts. For a variety of reasons, I stopped doing them, but seeing as I have recently become interested in restoring this to some of its former "glory", and because people occasionally ask me about it, I have decided to bring the column back.

To kick things off we will visit the world of the NFL. While the league has been under heavy criticism as of late (and for good reason), it is important to remember that there are many attractive men who play in it, and if anything should help with the sting of knowing how poorly some of its players treat women it would be turning around and objectifying one of them. And if any player is worthy of objectification, it's wide receiver Eric Decker, who joins the New York Jets this year after having been a member of the Denver Broncos. With his classic, All-American, boy-next-door good looks, and a very nicely muscled physique, he's the perfect choice to relaunch this feature. Enjoy!

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READ: THE SECRET BEHIND THE OUTLET "DEAL"

It's hard to resist the idea of getting a great bargain at a factory outlet store, or at a place like TJ Maxx that purports to be filled up with overstocks or slightly off the mark production runs, and while it is true that you will spend a lot less money at these places than you might at Neiman Marcus or a brand's regular retail locations, you may not be getting what you think you are. It turns out many brands make cheaper lines specifically for outlets and even license their name out to cheaper stores to make you think you're getting something nicer. That's not to say you shouldn't shop at these places, but you should be aware of what you're getting. FULL STORY: MEDIUM

WATCH: "INTERSTELLAR" TRAILER 3

It seems as if I've only really been sharing trailers today, and that would be because that's all that's really interested me yet. And here comes another. So far, the new Christopher Nolan movie has only released teasers that hinted at exactly what would be going on in the film, but that has changed as now there is a full length trailer for "Interstellar". And wow, does it look incredible. Can't wait for this one.

WATCH: "THE BABADOOK" TRAILER

The name is ridiculous, and the trailer is just okay, but there has been considerable buzz building around this Australian horror film, with many people citing as one of the scariest they've seen in a long time. It's currently scoring a very impressive 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is great for a horror movie, or any movie for that matter. I am definitely interested in seeing this one. FULL STORY: ROTTEN TOMATOES

WATCH: "AMERICAN HORROR STORY: FREAK SHOW" TRAILER

October is upon us, and with it comes the promise of another season of "American Horror Story". Season 4 sees the show telling the tale of a traveling freak show (as you probably guessed from the title), with most of the usual cast returning, along with a few unusual additions (Patti LaBelle?). While the premise makes it sound like it could be one of the series' crazier tales, the trailer makes it look somewhat more straightforward than usual. I guess we'll find out for sure when it begins on October 8.

NEWS: GUN NUT SHOOTS DOWN DRONE

While there are many people in this country who strongly believe the Constitution entitles them to own any sort of weapon they want, they don't seem to feel quite so strongly about a hobbyist's right to own and operate a drone. Here, in beautiful Lower Township, New Jersey, a man apparently became so distressed by the presence of a drone flying in his general vicinity that he decided the most reasonable course of action would be to retrieve his shotgun and get all "Duck Hunt" on it. Unfortunately for him, law enforcement officers generally have at least some degree of common sense and therefore could not agree with his position, leading to his arrest. Look, I certainly don't want people flying drones onto my property and shooting video of what I may or may not be doing at my computer, but I am also not overly thrilled with the idea that there are paranoid nut jobs whose first instinct is to shoot at anything even remotely suspicious living anywhere near me. At the very least, it could make it very challenging for Amazon to get packages to me whenever they start delivering things this way. FULL STORY: CAPE MAY COUNTY HERALD

NEWS: MICROSOFT SKIPS 9, REVEALS WINDOWS 10

In a move that surprised no one, today Microsoft announced the latest iteration of Windows. In a move that did come as a bit more of a surprise, they also announced that they were continuing the tradition of screwy counting they began with the Xbox One, by naming their new OS Windows 10. Why they elected to do this is unclear, but ultimately of little importance. What is important is the return of the Start Menu, now merged with the "live tile" experience of W8's Start Screen, along with many other additional features. It will be available for testing beginning tomorrow, and will be out to retail by late 2015. FULL STORY: PC GAMER

READ: INVESTING DOESN'T HAVE TO BE HARD (OR EXPENSIVE)

A lot of people don't put money aside for retirement simply because they don't think they can afford to do so, or because they think it is too complicated to get involved. Luckily, a lot of new apps and services have been debuting lately that aim to make things considerably less daunting for the average person, like Acorns, which automatically rounds up purchases for you and sends the extra change to an investment account. FULL STORY: SAVE10FIRST

LISTEN: PRINCE "ART OFFICIAL AGE"

Who knew that getting back onto the same major label he so desperately wanted off of years ago would help Prince to get some of his creative mojo back again? After a string of independently released albums that were mediocre at best, he has returned to Warner Bros Records with the sort of record we had been waiting for him to make. The smart blend of classic R&B sounds with some of the modern electronic experimentation he had become known for in the 80's is a refreshing return to form for the artist. It may not rank amongst his all-time best releases, but it is certainly the best of his 21'st century output.

WATCH: "INHERENT VICE" TRAILER

While director P.T. Anderson has yet to have made a bad movie in my opinion, has last 2 films ("The Master", "There Will Be Blood") have been somewhat more subdued, so it would be nice to see him return to the sort of sprawling, batshit-crazy dramas that helped him establish his name ("Boogie Nights", "Magnolia"). Luckily for me, based on the trailer, it looks like his latest project may be exactly what I'm looking for.

NEWS: NETFLIX MAKING MOVIES (AGAIN)

The internet is abuzz with news that Netflix, following the success it's had with original series like "House of Cards" and "Orange is the New Black", is now getting into the original movie business. Of course, the internet seems to be forgetting that the company has tried this before, under the name Red Envelope Entertainment, which met with only limited success before being abandoned (the most notable film released by the company is probably the Romanian abortion drama "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days"). Nevertheless, at least they are getting back into the movie business in a big way, with their first effort being a co-production with The Weinstein Company of a sequel to "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". It has been a long time since the original film was released, and director Ang Lee is not returning, but the first one was so good, it's hard not to be at least a little excited for this. FULL STORY: DEADLINE

READ: RACIST FOOTBALL TEAM'S FANS DON'T LIKE TO BE CALLED OUT ON RACISM

In a turn of events that should surprise no one, it turns out that fans of the Washington Redskins who feel that their team's blatantly racist name is just fine as it is, don't especially like being called out on that position. A segment on "The Daily Show" that aired last week featured a panel of said fans, who when being confronted by a panel of Native Americans say they felt threatened and feared for their safety, although the footage seen thus far doesn't do much to support these claims. More upsetting however is that there was apparently more video shot in which some of the Native American participants went to a tailgate event outside of FedEx Field, with one wearing the t-shirt in the photo, and were treated with such hostility that the program decided against using the footage in the piece (it is a comedy show after all and it doesn't sound like what transpired was very funny). The footage has not been released as of yet, but the first hand account is upsetting enough on its own. FULL STORY: MISSOULA INDEPENDENT

WATCH: AMY'S BAKING COMPANY STRIKES AGAIN

As anyone who recalls having seen the most infamous episode of Gordon Ramsey's "Kitchen Nightmares" ever filmed already knows, the owners of Amy's Baking Company are completely fucking insane. As such, this recent footage of one of the owners chasing a customer into the street whilst brandishing what appears to be a knife (they claim it's actually a pen) should come as no surprise. I honestly have no idea how these people manage to stay in business, but at least it provides for entertaining moments like this.

NEWS: WINDOWS 9 MIGHT BE FREE FOR OWNERS OF 8

In a move that has been rumored for a while now, it appears as though Microsoft will be automatically upgrading users of Windows 8 to Windows 9 when it releases next Spring. This is a very unusual move for the company, which has always charged for new versions of its OS, but would probably make for good PR after the somewhat disappointing reaction to W8. FULL STORY: PC GAMER