Archive for year 2011
Stocking Stuffer: Canadian Club Classic
This holiday season, if you’re looking to purchase booze for a buddy, there are tons of options open to you. You can take the high-end route and spend a bunch of cash, or you can take a different, more throwback approach.
I’m talking about Canadian Club Whisky. This is the kinda whisky you’d purchase for your Grandpa. And I totally mean that in a good way.
Your Grandpa isn’t gonna give an eff about the latest, trendiest, priciest single-malt whisky. You old man’s old man would likely prefer a comfortable, more familiar gift selection. One that says, “Hey remember me? We used to be really good friends.” That’s the message that Canadian Club Whisky sends.
It’s not an entry-level whisky purchase, that’s for damn sure. When you give the gift of Canadian Club, you’re basically saying, “Look, I know you started drinking the good stuff way before I was born, but here’s a reminder of how things used to be. I wasn’t there, but as I understand it, things we’re pretty cool back then. Anyway, here’s a small token of my appreciation for you being there, back in the day, and me understanding — even a little bit — what your tastes were like back then when I wasn’t around.”
Still, this isn’t a gift that’s strictly limited to old timers who love whisky, but all I’m saying is if you want to score points with your dad, uncle, gramps, etc., then you can’t really go wrong with Canadian Club. And if you want to introduce a new generation to a throwback spirit that was universally enjoyed as a quality, whisky-lover’s choice, then Canadian Club is a solid option.
Either way, if you know someone who’d be happy to open up a classic whisky this Christmas, you can’t go wrong with Canadian Club. It’s a no-frills, classic-tasting, put-hair-on-your-chest kind of whisky. Any purist, young or old, will certainly enjoy it. It’s a semi-affordable way to say you still value a time when masculine drinks we’re appreciated.
Dec 7th
Hangover 2 Blu-Ray Giveaway
The Hangover was an awesome movie. Everyone can agree to that. And it’s not easy for a sequel to live up to the original, especially with comedies, but The Hangover Part II is every bit as awesome as the first film.
The sequel finds the wolf pack traveling to Thailand for Stu’s wedding. With Stu still dramatized by the Vegas adventure that unfolded in the first film, he vows to keep his pre-wedding partying to a minimum. Two days before the wedding, Stu decides it’s okay for him and the guys to drink one beer, and everything goes to hell. The guys wake up with a crew member missing, and they have to recreate the events that unfolded the night before. The Hangover Part II is not a fresh take or a new look. It’s a familiar, fun ride that’s worth repeating a bunch of times. Here’s the trailer:
We went to the premiere and totally enjoyed this movie. Now we’re partnering up with Warner Bros to give away two blu-ray combo packs to two lucky readers. The combo pack just went on sale yesterday. It includes a copy of the movie of DVD, blu-ray and an Ultra Violet Digital Copy.
To enter the giveaway, just follow us on Twitter and send us an email below telling us why you enjoyed the film. We’ll pick two winners at random next Wednesday, December 14.
Good luck!
Dec 7th
Week 13 NFL Picks
DeSean Jackson redeems himself. Vince Young shows his value. Seattle plays tough at home but they’re just too banged up.
Philly -3
(0kay, so I whiffed on that Thursday Night pick. Turns out that there was no redemption for DeSean and no answer for Marshawn Lynch. On to the other picks…)
Buffalo is 4-1 at home. The Titans are finally running the ball well. A lot of the bad stuff you’ve seen from the Bills has come on the road. They actually looked pretty good before Stevie Johnson’s boneheaded celebration last week.
Bills -2
Caleb Hanie can compete and Orton isn’t ready to lead the Chiefs quite yet. Chicago wins at home.
Bears -7
Turns out Miami isn’t all that bad, but neither are the Raiders. Despite all the injuries, Oakland still gets it done. The Raiders need this game more.
Raiders +3.5
Pittsburgh got a scare last week, but this divisional game is too important to take lightly. The Bengals will rise to the challenge, but not enough to win.
Steelers -6.5
The Browns can shut down passing games, but the Ravens don’t need to rely on the pass to win.
Ravens -7
The Jets refuse to give up on their season. They’re like the anti-Eagles. Rex Grossman has elevated his play a bit, to the point where this team might still win a couple games. But the Jets are a streaky, emotional team. They’ll continue their winning ways.
Jets -7
It’s a good thing the Texans don’t need to throw the ball to win. Atlanta should have Michael Turner and Julio Jones ready to play, but despite containing big runners this season, the Falcons won’t be able to contain Houston’s ground game, even if its just a one-sided attack.
Texans +1.5
Josh Freeman is likely out for the Bucs. That opens the door for Cam Newton and company to get a much needed W.
Panthers +2
The Saints are in full on playoff mode. They look like the only team that can hang with the Packers in the NFC. The Lions were once intimidating, but they’ll be without Suh and a resurgent Kevin Smith. It’s a big spread, but Brees will help you cover.
Saints -9
I just can’t bet against Tebow. Not saying I’m betting for him, but he’s just got too much juju going on right now for you to bank on him losing. He won’t exploit the Vikings’ biggest weakness, but he’s just got that winningness factor that you have to love.
Broncos -1
It’s been a lost season for St. Louis. After losing the the Battle of the Brothers Harbaugh, the 49ers aren’t thinking playoffs. They’re thinking about pounding their next opponent. And pound them they will.
Niners -13.5
Kevin Kolb is back, but it doesn’t matter. This team can’t expect monster results from Beanie Wells every week. I like the Cowboys in this spot.
Cowboys -4.5
The Giants can bounce back from their Monday Night beating, but not against the best team in football.
Packers -6
New England will likely crush the Colts, but a 20 point spread is ridiculous. It makes you want to look for a reason – any reason – to pick Indy. I can’t find that reason.
Pats -20
Man the Chargers suck, but things are actually more dysfunctional in Jacksonville. They have no more corners, a new owner and 100 percent less Del Rio. Rivers finally has a game to remember.
Chargers -3
Week 12: 8-8
Season: 100-71-10
Dec 1st
It’s Our Turn to Pass the Crown
We’ve been selected by Crown Royal to participate in an online gift receiving/stealing contest with a bunch of other cool sites. Other sites have received cool stuff like iPads and Kindle Fires and Crown parties with friends.
We are up next and we need to decide if we should open our gift or steal someone else’s.
Our hint: Thought 2011 went fast? You ain’t seen nothing yet
That’s the message that appears on our custom embroidered purple Crown Royal bag. Whatever gift we end up with will also go to a lucky reader!
So what should we do? Hijack someone else’s gift or see what’s inside our bag?
You can follow all the action on Twitter by checking out #PassTheCrown.
Dec 1st
Week 12 NFL Picks
I’m traveling in Australia so this week’s picks are lean and mean:
Green Bay -6.5 At Detroit
Pick: Packers -6.5
At Dallas -7 Miami
Pick: Cowboys -7
At Baltimore -3.5 San Francisco
Pick: Niners +3.5
At St. Louis -3 Arizona
Pick: Rams -3
At NY Jets -9 Buffalo
Pick: Jets -9
At Cincinnati -7 Cleveland
Pick: Bengals -7
Houston -3.5 At Jacksonville
Pick: Texans +3.5
Carolina -3 At Indianapolis
Pick: Panthers -3
At Tennessee -3 Tampa Bay
Pick: Bucs +3
At Atlanta -9.5 Minnesota
Pick: Falcons -9.5
At Oakland -4 Chicago
Pick: Raiders -4
At Seattle -3.5 Washington
Pick: Seahawks -3.5
New England -3 At Philadelphia
Pick: Pats -3
At San Diego -6 Denver
Pick: Denver +6
Pittsburgh -10.5 At Kansas City
Pick: Steelers -10.5
At New Orleans -7 NY Giants
Pick: Saints -7
Week 11: 6-7-1
Season: 92-63-10
Nov 23rd
Movies On Demand Giveaway
Movies On Demand is a service that caters to people who love convenience and watching new releases when they’re actually new. Sure, Netflix has its perks, but navigating through the Watch Instantly section can be a nightmare. When Netflix lists new releases, they’re called “New Arrivals.” So for every new release like Limitless, you five other movies like Death Becomes Her, Blown Away, The Peacemaker or some flick you’ve never heard of staring Casper Van Dien. Not exactly the freshest batch of films around. Plus, if you pay for premium cable channels, the movies on Neflix tend to be the same movies that you see on Starz, Showtime, Cinemax, etc.
The home movie rental industry just ain’t what it used to be. Gone are the days of Blockbuster lines and mom and pop video shops. For today’s home movie rental enthusiast, instant gratification is the name of the game. If you’re looking to watch a movie at home, you want the latest titles, and you don’t want to scan through useless selections or pay a monthly fee. This is where Movies On Demand comes in handy.
MOD gets tons of new releases out to you quickly, sometimes weeks before these titles are available on Netflix or Redbox. The service offers a huge library of independent films that sometimes premiere on MOD before they’re even released in the theaters. If you like classics, you’ll find 1000s of your old favorites starting at $1.99. But the best part about Movies On Demand is that it’s just so damn easy. Pick a movie, press a button on your digital cable remote, and you’re good to go. MOD also has two Facebook apps that you can check out – Click Your Flick and List It.
To get the word out about Movies On Demand, we’re giving away a prize pack that includes a $100 Best Buy Gift Card and movie studio swag. Here’s what’s coming up on MOD:
New This Week
- Conan The Barbarian
- Super 8
December Titles
- Friends with Benefits
- Cowboys & Aliens
- The Hangover 2
- The Help
- Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom
- Mr. Popper’s Penguins
- The Smurfs
To enter the giveaway, just follow us on Twitter and send us an email below telling us which upcoming film on MOD interests you the most. We’ll pick a winner at random next Monday, November 28.
Good luck!
Nov 20th
Week 11 NFL Picks
NY Jets -4.5 At Denver
Oh that Tim Tebow, so magical, so unconventional, so unable to complete more than a handful of passes a game. Denver’s tailored their entire offensive approach to the guy. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. If McGahee’s out, it’s going to be hard for Denver to hang with the Jets. The Broncos are still in the playoff race in the dismal AFC West, but they’ll take a step back this week.
Pick: Jets -4.5
At Atlanta -6 Tennessee
The Titans bounced back big time and brought the Chiefs back down to reality last week. I don’t think they can handle the Falcons at home though. Remember what Houston and Pittsburgh did to this team? It’s one thing to hang with teams that aren’t all that explosive offensively, but the Falcons, who are coming off a crucial overtime loss to the Saints, are going to bring the Titans back down to Earth.
Pick: Falcons -6
At Miami -2 Buffalo
Since when did Reggie Bush morph into a pro version of his former college self? And what the hell happened to the Bills? The Buffalo bandwagon is beyond empty after the Bills went 1-3 in their last four games (with the one win coming against a horrendous Redskins team). How will the team respond after losing by 37 to Dallas? Coach Chan Gailey said his team is “more of a pretender than a contender” at this point. The Fins have won two in a row and the Bills have lost two in a row. Something’s gotta give here. I feel like the Miami magic can’t be sustained, and I think the Bills are due for a W.
Pick: Bills +2
At Baltimore -7 Cincinnati
In Week 7, Ray Rice received only eight carries and the Ravens lost on the road to the lowly Jags. You’d think the Baltimore brain trust would avoid skimping on the Rice carries going forward, but last week, Rice logged only five rushing attempts, and you guessed it, the Ravens lost on the road to an inferior team. That just can’t happen. This guy’s your best skill player and needs to be a big part of the game plan. The Bengals D holds teams to just 86.8 rushing yards a game, but so what. Expect large servings of Rice in this matchup, defense be damned. The Bengals are hitting the tough/most-important part of their schedule. They lost to Pittsburgh last week and they almost lost AJ Green in the process. Even if Green does suit up, I think the Ravens are due for a rebound game at home, and memories of Cincy’s recent division lead will soon be erased for good.
Pick: Ravens -7
Jacksonville -1 At Cleveland
Cleveland’s offense is so very, very hard to watch. The Jags aren’t exactly lightening it up, but the Browns are just allergic to touchdowns. If Jacksonville can find the endzone, even once, it’ll probably be enough.
Pick: Jags -1
At Minnesota -1.5 Oakland
Carson Palmer is making Hue Jackson look like a genius. The Vikings can’t stop anybody. Palmer’s going to have a huge game. He’s got a good thing going with Denarius Moore, and even if DMC is sidelined, Michael Bush is a more than suitable sub.
Pick: Raiders +1.5
At Detroit -7 Carolina
Stafford had a meltdown game last week. He broke a finger, but he’s been practicing and is expected to play against the Panthers. Maurice Morris hasn’t been that bad filling in for Jahvid Best. He has to like his chances this week, going up against the 28th ranked run defense in the league. The Panthers looked flat last week, but they should be able to put up more points on Detroit. I think there will be a ton of scoring opportunities in this game, but Detroit will pull ahead and run it out.
Pick: Lions -7
At Green Bay -13.5 Tampa Bay
Just go ahead and pick the Packers. The spread is pretty irrelevant. They’ll cover, bro.
Pick: Packers -13.5
Dallas -8 At Washington
The Cowboys are clicking. The Skins aren’t. There’s just too many weapons for Dallas and not enough firepower for Washington. Sure both defenses aren’t pushovers, but I like the Cowboys to win this important division matchup.
Pick: Cowboys -8
At San Francisco -9.5 Arizona
The spread’s a bit high, but the Niners are really good at covering this year. Like, amazingly good. San Francisco is 8-0-1 against the spread this season. That’s the longest unbeaten ATS streak to start a season since 1980. The Niners are going to take the run game away and force Skelton to throw the ball. He may connect with Larry Fitzgerald for a few amazing catches, but that just won’t be enough. Don’t be afraid of the big spread.
Pick: 49ers -9.5
At St. Louis -2 Seattle
Seattle showed up at home and took down the Ravens. The Rams aren’t top-tier competition, but the Seahawks don’t win games on the road (that Week 5 matchup against the Giants being the exception). Look for the Rams offense to show a bit more spark this week as the team looks for their third win in four games.
Pick: Rams -2
At Chicago -3.5 San Diego
Philip Rivers has been a turnover machine, and now he’s missing half of his offensive line. Julius Peppers should have a big day. The Chargers are riding a four game losing streak while the Bears have won four in a row. I don’t think San Diego is just going to roll over here, but Chicago’s playing good ball all around and the Chargers are not.
Pick: Bears -3.5
At NY Giants -3 Philadelphia
Will Vick play or not? Does it matter? The Eagles are no longer relevant, but the Giants still have a bunch to play for. With the Cowboys surging, the Giants need a W to maintain their lead in the NFC East. The Eagles may put up a good fight, but this game is more important to the Giants.
Pick: Giants -3
At New England -14 Kansas City
Maybe this Palko kid can play, maybe not. But if you take a guy who’s attempted 13 career passes and you put him in a primetime matchup against a New England team that dominates at home and is coming off a big divisional win that snapped a two game losing streak, I’m going to lean towards the Pats, even with a two touchdown spread.
Pick: Pats -14
Week 10: 10-6
Season: 86-56-9
Nov 17th
Doritos Crash the Super Bowl 32-Inch HDTV Giveaway
Do you like Doritos? Or the Super Bowl? Or Lonely Island? Or free HDTVs? If you answered yes to any or all of the above, keep reading, man. MANjr is teaming up with Doritos to giveaway a 32-Inch LCD HDTV. The giveaway is a tie-in to a much more ridiculous challenge, the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest.
Doritos is currently accepting 30-second video submissions, Super Bowl commercial spot style. The rules are pretty simple. You just upload a 30 second commercial clip that expresses love for Doritos. If you visit the Crash the Super Bowl website, there’s a section that gives you tips and a toolbox where you can download product shots, logos, animations and music to use in your commercial clip.
Why would you bother helping Doritos out with commercial ideas? Well in January, Doritos is going to announce five finalists and put it to an online vote. The first place finisher that’s selected will get $25K and a trip to Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, where they’ll see their commercial go head-to-head against a Doritos commercial created by The Lonely Planet.
If the finalist’s commercials scores No. 1 on the USA Today Super Bowl Ad Meter, that person will receive one million dollars and a chance to work on a future Doritos project with The Lonely Island. If The Lonely Planet scores No. 1 on the Ad Meter, those dudes will get a million to donate to their charity of choice.
Here’s the kicker: the deadline to submit your clip is November 21. That’s really soon. So you better scratch your weekend plans and put something together – action, drama, funny, whatever, just as long as it’s unique enough to get recognized.
So what do you have to do win the MANjr 32-Inch Panasonic Viera LCD HDTV giveaway? Just follow us on Twitter and tell us which previous Doritos Crash the Super Bowl commercial was your favorite. We’ll select a winner at random next Thursday, November 24. Good Luck!
Nov 17th
9 Ways to Make Airplane Travel Suck Less
Nobody likes flying. We all love the excitement of traveling, but most sane people hate the actual flight. And for good reason. The airline industry sucks balls. Most planes are outdated, low-tech germ cans that were built to accommodate people the size of Willow. If you like cleanliness, modern technology, edible food or leg room, flying is a big pain in the ass. But with the right attitude and a few helpful tips, you can make your next plane ride less painful. Here are nine ways to make airplane travel suck less:
Drink Before, During and Potentially After Your Flight
Scotch makes airplanes better. It really does. Beer works for some people, but if you have the bladder of a small child, it’s just not a good idea. Liquor is quicker and it’ll keep you in your seat. Pay the outrageous fee for an in-flight head change.
Buy the WiFi
Why the hell isn’t WiFi free in every airport and airplane in the country? If coffee shops can provide you with free Internet access, shouldn’t the airline industry do the same? Sadly, like everything else these days, airlines charge you extra for web access. Splurge for this expense. It’s totally worth it. Don’t get stuck squinting to see the shitty in-flight movie. Forget about the Skymall mag, too. Pay whatever king’s ransom they’re charging for WiFi and boost your ability to stay sane during a long flight.
Own the Armrest
No matter where you sit on an airplane, stake your claim to the armrest early. Establish your elbow dominance as soon as you take your seat. Get big, box out your neighbor and own it for the whole flight. If you snooze, wait for the right opportunity and pounce that elbow back in there. Never give up. Never surrender. Hold the line like your life depended on it.
Spring for a Bottle of Water at the Gate
Nothing’s worse than having cotton mouth on a plane. Sure, the sky waitress will bring you a beverage when you hit the right altitude. But you need some liquids to get you through that first half hour or so of non-service.
Be Nice to Airline Employees
You think flying is a big inconvenience for you? Imagine if that shit was your job. Folks who work in the airline industry have to deal with stressed, uncomfortable and annoyed people every single day. They see people at their worst, so be nice to them. You’d be surprised how far a couple of extra smiles and thank yous can take you. I once got two free mini bottles of Johnny Walker from a flight attendant just for being the least douchiest person in my row.
Wear Shorts
It’s rare to find yourself on a plane and think, man, it’s freezing in here. It can happen, yea, but the more likely scenario is you sitting in a cramped seat with a bad case of the schweaty balls. Do yourself a favor and wear shorts on your next flight. If it get’s cold, you can always reach for a jacket or blanket. It’s not like you can air out your junk when things get extra toasty. Leave the air on, too. A little air circulation never hurt anybody.
Bring Snacks
Gone are the days of endless peanuts and complimentary in-flight snacks. Airlines make you pay for everything, and nine times out of ten, the soggy sandwich or questionable cheese & cracker combo or whatever overpriced snack option their pushing just isn’t worth it. If your famished, you’ll pay any price for airplane food, but you’re going to feel dirty about it afterward. You’re going to feel used. So stash some granola bars in your bag and schedule some time to snack it up before you board.
Don’t Smell
Sounds simple, right? And yet so many people insist on traveling extra ripe all the time. Don’t be one of those people. If you can’t figure out where the stank is coming from, it’s probably coming from you. Do the whole bathing/deodorizing/clean hair/clean socks thing. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Zen Out
Whatever it is you do to get to your happy place, make sure you can reach that state of mind on a plane. Get into breathing exercises, put some Enya on your iPod, pack a photo of a loved one or a favorite location. However you get there, the ability to zen out hard is a critical carry-on. With the right preparation, you can block out anything – chair kickers, coughers, aggressive screaming babies, loud white girls – you name it. Learn how to transform yourself into a zen master at will and nothing will get under your skin.
Nov 17th
The Hairy Truth About the Mustache – Infographic
Sortable The Hairy Truth About The Moustache. Go to Movember.com and make a donation today.
Nov 16th
