COOL NEWS

Monopoly: The Godfather Collector’s Edition

Like Monopoly but bored of the straight-laced content? Ever wanted to whack someone but didn’t want to go to jail? Then Godfather Monopoly is for you. I’m Italian and I’m not offended by this. In fact, this is really awesome. I’m a big fan of the mini cannoli game piece. I mean, it’s a mini cannoli!

You can buy this amazing game for $40 here.

Make your opponent an offer for their property that they can’t refuse! Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the original Godfather movie! Enter the world of The Godfather Collector’s Edition of Monopoly, where you “keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” Buy, sell and trade your way through the most memorable locations from The Godfather movie trilogy. Buy a stake in Moe Green’s Casino or take over the Corleone Lake Tahoe Estate as you work your way to the top in the “family business.” And as you wheel and deal around the board, from the Woltz Mansion to the legitimate Genco Import Company, remember to “make them an offer they can’t refuse.” For ages 8 and up. Game is playable with 2 to 6 players. There are 6 collectible tokens include Horse’s Head, Dead Fish, Tommy Gun, Cannoli, Genco Olive Oil, and The Don’s Limo. Ages 8 and up.

IKEA Cardboard Digital Camera

IKEA is taking names and kicking asses. First, a all-in-one sleek white modern TV set and console. Now, a low-cost digital camera made out of cardboard. While most people use their smartphones as digital cameras, the new IKEA camera could be really fun to be surprised as to what photos you’ve taken. We’re so used to instant gratification that we forget how much pleasure can be derived by waiting.

From ckck:

Seems like IKEA are really shaking things up this year. In addition to the previously announced TV set, they’re also going to release a digital camera made of cardboard called Knäppa (“Snap”). It’ll hold 40 photographs at a time and plugs directly into your USB port. While it’s not the prettiest camera the world has ever seen, I do love the idea of a screen-less digital camera that brings people back to the wait-and-see days of film.

Crystal Head vodka

Buy it for $48 here.

The 2012 Forbes Fictional 15 Richest list

Forbes has instantaneously shot onto the cool list with their 2012 list of the 15 richest fictional characters. This shows that they don’t take themselves too seriously, actually get what people want and are interested in, and know the value of being able to make their product interesting.

Here’s a snippet of some of their amazing commentary:

It’s a great time to be imaginary. The characters that make up this year’s edition of the Forbes Fictional 15, our annual listing of fiction’s richest, boast an aggregate net worth of $209.5 billion. That’s up a stunning 59% from last year — and it’s enough cash to give $30 to every (real) person on the planet.

On top of the list is the ancient red-golden dragon Smaug, known by hobbits and dwarves across Middle Earth as “Smaug the Tremendous” and “Smaug the Unassessably Wealthy.” Smaug’s personal fortune jumped 16% from last year to $62 billion after wyrm watchers crafted a more detailed analysis of his massive hoard of coins, jewels and antiques.

Fiction’s second-richest character makes his first appearance on the list in 2012, and not without controversy. Diamond mining magnate Flintheart Glomgold (net worth $51.9 billion) stole the title of “World’s Richest Duck” from his arch nemesis (and former list member) Scrooge McDuck when the longtime rivals bet their entire fortunes on the results of an around the world race. Now penniless, McDuck is crying fowl: He says Glomgold cheated, hiring The Beagle Boys to kidnap his nephew Donald and Magica De Spell to ground his zeppelin. He’s sworn to recover his fortune.

Check out the list here.

MIT Plays Tetris on a Building

This is just pure awesome. We need more people hacking buildings for fun and interesting things. Way to go MIT!

From Bostonino:

We all know the students at MIT love a good hack, but what’s better than playing a game while doing it? Last night, a team took over the side of MIT’s Green Building and turned it into a giant, playable, multi-color Tetris game.

Home of the Institute’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Science, the Green Building lends itself as an ideal grid for the game. According to the IHTFP Hack Gallery, “MIT hackers have long considered ‘Tetris on the Green Building’ to be the Holy Grail of hacks.”

The game started off by scrolling the word “Tetris,” and as the players moved on, the levels became progressively harder. The second level kicked off with more pale colors, while the third involved the colors shifting on-screen. Once someone lost the game, all of the blocks would fall to the bottom of the building. Just check out the cleverness for yourself.

The Drums at Webster Hall on 4/22/12

River Country, The Abandoned Disney Theme Park

kayfabe happened upon an interesting tidbit concerning abandoned amusement parks and, of all places, Disney. Our own love of abandoned parks was taken to a new level when one was prominently featured in Netflix’s Lillyhammer. Kay recounts what he found:

I heard about River Country after listening to episode 2 of FEaB and my love for all places abandoned (and theme parks) led me on a Google search. I found these two photo journals of the Disney waterpark that’s been closed since 2001.

It was described as an “old-fashioned swimming hole”. The original working title before being changed was “Pop’s Willow Grove” and featured a sandy bottom and unique water filtering system using confluent water from adjacent Bay Lake, which was dammed off creating a natural-looking man-made lagoon.

On FEoB, Matt Mira said that River Country was closed due to new laws where water can’t come in from a natural source, but I couldn’t find a definite answer.

There are several theories for the closing of River Country. Even though the park was popular during the hot summer months, the majority of the water was unheated. Because of this, River Country would often close for refurbishment in early fall when it became cooler or it would be closed during the middle of the week.

Rising admission prices and the addition of two larger water parks on Disney property may have made many visitors feel that River Country was no longer a good value for the price of a ticket compared to the limited number of things to do there. [source]

Regardless, River Country still exists albeit closed off. I imagine many people still sneak in, though. Especially after hearing this disturbing fact:

Reports suggest that music, plumbing, and electricity are still on within the abandoned park.

Color Forecast Predicts Color Trends in European Fashion Capitals

Color Forecast shows what colors are trending in real time in the fashion capitals of Paris, Milan and Antwerp. High speed cameras are strategically placed in these cities and the color information is analyzed by software created by Pedro Miguel Cruz. Ad agency Happiness Brussels created the project for retail chain Pimkie.

…The cameras are connected to Mac Mini’s with color tracking software developed by Pedro Cruz…
The software analyzes the passing colors and shows in real time which colors are worn the most.
All colors are then compiled in nice infographics, so you can follow how the cities evolve and how trends change.

via Laughing Squid. Originally from Wired.

Private Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr show at the T-Mobile HTC One S launch party (Taken with Instagram at Catch)

Volkswagen Shuttles Around Manhattan For Kraftwerk’s MoMA Performances With #VWFanTickets

On April 13-15 from 7-11p, Volkswagen offered free rides anywhere in lower Manhattan to passersby at the corner of Houston & Bowery in front of the giant graffiti mural. Above it VW is projecting a live stream of their #VWFanTickets hashtag on Twitter. If you tweet that hashtag you were entered to win tickets to see Kraftwerk at MoMA. The reason that they were only doing shuttles until 11p is because they go up to MoMA to give rides to the people coming out of Kraftwerk.

This is an interesting way to provide a useful service onto a much hyped engagement. Note to companies: people always appreciate free rides, especially when unexpected. Looking forward to Volkswagen doing more unique engagements in NYC.

Jon Hammburger

(aka Jon Hamm in a diner for Esquire UK)

Knucklecase

For $99 you can protect your phone from more than just cracks and scratches. Now would-be thieves will think twice about robbing your phone. Also, it’ll make you look less geeky and a bit badass.

Buy it here.

Interesting & unique advertisement by Republique Beirut that turns normal mirrors into large oversized sunglasses, thus addressing young Lebanese’ typical behavior of when they go out: their desire to be watched. Reinforcing this message is the literal writing on the wall, “Be Seen”.

WATERS to Perform Live at Nylon + Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren event at Macy’s

We’ve been invited to Nylon + Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren event at Macy’s where WATERS will be playing. It’s everything we love here at Cool News: cool magazine, cool clothes and cool music.

nylonguysmagazine:

If you’re in NYC tomorrow night, be sure to stop by the NYLON + Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren event at Macy’s Herald Square to catch a live performance by WATERS!

“You took my name” is a series of paintings that strip famous logos back to their basic graphic forms. This has created pieces that are artworks in their own right.

Many of these brands have become ingrained in people’s minds due to constant exposure to them. It’s not hard to see others in this series. Hopefully they add more soon, in addition to pieces that the public can purchase.