Beautiful Image of Coral Islands as Seen from Space [PIC]

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NASA's satellite image of the Maldives, which is made up of a chain of 1192 small coral islands that are grouped into clusters of atolls. This particular image features the North and South Malosmadulu Atolls, the most complex group of the whole archipelago. Gorgeous picture contrasting the deep blue of the sea with the lagoons and coral islands.

NC-17 : To be or not to be

by Daniel Herrera

With this weekend’s announcement that the upcoming comedy from Sasha Baron Cohen has been given an NC-17 rating, Bruno now adds itself to the list of films ‘unsuitable’ for children under 17. The film was only given the rating after its first submission to the MPAA so odds are it will be re-edited down to a respectable R rating to earn more money. Studios are notorious for not releasing films in theatres that get an NC-17 rating in order to recoup their funds.

This process began back in 1989 when the Peter Greenaway film The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover was the first film ever to receive the NC-17 label after the MPAA originally gave the film an X rating, but due to a large outcry over the films artistic integrity the new rating was created with approval from then president Jack Valenti.

Now, with most theatre chains out right refusing to show NC-17 films in their theatres for fear of public outcry, and the fact that they will not earn enough money, many studios now market their films with a ‘Hard R’ rating. The fake moniker has not been approved or denied by the MPAA and is just swept under the rug as its films contain scenes which under normal circumstances would be given an NC-17 rating.

Truth be told those films slapped with the NC-17 rating have historically not made that much money– as seen below– but what you got to wonder is that those films mentioned are all mainly independent films and some films of ‘lesser quality’.

Following grosses taken from box office mojo

1	2340	Showgirls	MGM	$20,350,754	1995
2	3195	Henry & June	Uni.	$11,567,449	1990
3	3687	The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover	Mira.	$7,724,701	1990
4	4146	Bad Education	SPC	$5,211,842	2004
5	4267	Lust, Caution	Focus	$4,604,982	2007
6	4392	Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!	Mira.	$4,087,361	1990
7	4812	The Dreamers	FoxS	$2,532,228	2004
8	5026	Crash (1996)	FL	$2,038,450	1996
9	5054	Bad Lieutenant	Aries	$2,000,022	1992
10	5226	Wide Sargasso Sea	NL	$1,614,784	1993
11	5360	A Dirty Shame	FL	$1,339,668	2004
12	5672	Whore	Trim.	$1,008,404	1991
13	5898	Young Adam	SPC	$767,373	2004
14	5989	Inside Deep Throat	Uni.	$691,880	2005
15	6056	Dice Rules	7Art	$637,327	1991
16	6106	Orgazmo	Oct.	$602,302	1998
17	6260	Bent	Gold.	$496,059	1997
18	6739	Tokyo Decadence	N.Arts	$277,845	1993
19	6995	Matador	WA	$206,952	1988
20	7001	Man Bites Dog	Roxie	$205,569	1993

From the past 17 years only 19 films were released in theatres under the NC-17 rating. Compare that to the number of films released each ear. According to the most recent data from the MPAA, 2007 saw 603 films released in the U.S theatrically.

Some films that were originally given the NC-17 rating and then changed to an R or a Hard R include:

The Godfather part III

Boys Don’t Cry

Last Tango in Paris

Requiem for a Dream ( I think we all know for what scene)

Pulp Fiction

The Wild Bunch- This 1969 film also holds the distinction for being originally an R rated film when it was shown in theatres and released on video then in 1993 when the film was gearing up for a re-release in theatres the film was then rated NC-17.

Of these few films mentioned all share on common element. They are all Oscar nominated films. Now of course the Oscars are by no means the end all as to what a great movie is, but it does certainly add questions as to whether quality films can earn respect with the NC-17 label. Either way with only 19 films released in the past 17 years there certainly is room for more films to come whether or not the films earns huge dollars at the box office.

Top 29: Best Cities To Live In If You're A Guy

2009 has been a rough year so far. Financial markets have tanked worldwide, those of us who still have jobs are waiting to lose them, the British Auto Show was cancelled, and Gisele got married. It's all enough to get one dreaming of a fresh start -- and what better way to get one than to start a new life in a new city? It's with this in mind that AskMen.com brings you our inaugural guide to greener pastures: The Top 29: Best Cities To Live In.

The AskMen.com editorial team chose this year's best cities by applying a statistical formula to eight lifestyle categories (you'll find them listed within each city's profile), then evaluating the results in conjunction with some of the less tangible characteristics that make cities great cities. Of course, the ongoing global recession influenced the selection and ranking of the Top 29; criteria such as cost of living and economic stability carried greater weight than they might have in different circumstances, securing places for some surprising inclusions. Their spots didn't come at the expense of some classic favorites, however: cities like New York City and Paris have experienced an economic beating, but they still offer enough in the way of women, culture and entertainment to offset this.

In short, the cities on the list are diverse, but they all have one thing in common: They're great cities for men to live in. Enjoy the Top 29! Start with No. 29

10 Video Game Theme Songs That Just Sticks

Here is a list of 10 memorable video game themes of all time. They're mostly classic theme songs for some of the best video games ever made. Most if not all of them are buried into our heads forever.

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Make a label for the Blind

Sighted friends, you have the advantage of picking Coke over Pepsi simply by picking red over blue. What will my sight-impaired friends do? Nothing much, but ask you to help out picking the preferred soda pop. However wouldn’t it be convenient for both if there was a label in Braille stuck to the can? Yup, that would be convenient!

Designers: Soonkyu Jang, Jieun Seo & Seung-un Kim

Don't mess with this guy!!!!

Best Sacha Baron Cohen Moments

(March 30) - In its first bout with ratings czars - the MPAA - Sacha Baron Cohen's new comedy 'Bruno' has been granted an NC-17, in part due to scenes of graphic sex. We know by the time 'Bruno' hits theaters, it will be toned down enough to earn an R-rating, as NC-17 has long been considered the kiss of death for box office success. But we're not surprised the envelope-pushing comedian started out with - if you'll pardon the pun - a bang. We looked back at our ten favorite out-there moments by Sasha Baron Cohen's various personas. Wow. WARNING: These clips are R-rated and appropriate for mature audiences... with strong stomachs.

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10. Bruno vs. Neo-Nazis: "Do you think there are any skinheads who aren't gay?"



9. Ali G interviews Posh and Becks: "Now Scary, is you comfy?"



8. Ali G interviews Noam Chomsky: "How many words does you know? What is some of them?"



7. Borat on 'Late Night With Conan o'Brien': "Very nice, you have a big head. Your family live near nuclear plant?"

6. Ali G on feminism: "Do you think there will be a woman prime minister?" "There has been." "When?"



5. Bruno gets a fashion designer to admit she wishes she could deport people without fashion sense, and another to admit that fashion exists to exclude poor people. Comedy gold.



4. Sasha Baron Cohen wins the Golden Globes: "I stared down and saw your two wrinkled golden globes..."



3. Bruno causes college kids on spring break to freak out, show their rear ends and confront their homophobia.



2. 'Throw the Jew Down the Well' - yes, Sasha Baron Cohen is definitely Jewish, and it's hilarious... no, scary... no, SCARLARIOUS how easy it is for him to get this cowboy bar to sing along.



1. 'Borat's Naked Fight' - Borat attacks his producer, Azamat Bagatov, for making a hand-party to pictures of Pamela Anderson. It's the most disgusting thing in the world. Also, funny.

2009 AOL LLC. All Rights Reserved.

2009-03-30 15:57:02

Footage unveils U-boat secrets

The U-40 was discovered by a team of divers 40 miles off the Berwickshire coast Underwater footage from the wreck of a German U-boat sunk more than 90 years ago has been released. The vessel - the U-40 - was recently discovered by divers off the coast of Eyemouth in Berwickshire. It is thought to have been among the first to have been lured by a decoy trawler and then torpedoed by a British submarine during the First World War. It is the second such discovery in the waters off the Scottish Borders after a similar U-boat find in January 2008. The U-40 was discovered by a team of divers from Eyemouth-based Marine Quest about 40 miles off the Berwickshire coast. It was sunk on 23 June 1915 with the loss of 29 German sailors. According to Iain Easingwood of Marine Quest it took a lot of preparation to pinpoint the location of the U-boat. "Given the history and amazing story behind the U-40, this is probably our most significant find to date," he said. "There are so many other wrecks out there in the North Sea and we will be on the lookout for another exciting find."

Ultimate Battle: The Snuggie vs. Slanket vs. Freedom Blanket vs. Blankoat

By Jason Chen

The Slanket, the Snuggie, the Freedom Blanket or the supremely expensive and extravagant Blankoat? This is the most important question of the millennium. You're about to know the answer.

Those who haven't seen the Snuggie ad or one of its many parodies and aren't aware of the blanket-with-sleeves phenomenon get no sympathy from us. Unless, you've just awoken from an eight-month coma, in which case: Welcome back! To recap, the Snuggie is the most famous and widely marketed of the many blanket-with-sleeves. The Freedom Blanket originated the idea, the Slanket followed up, and recently, the Blankoat decided to take it into a ridiculous dimension.

But which is the best for you? We tried each of them the way they were meant to be worn: on the sofa, lying down, with one fist buried in a bag of Doritos and the other cradling a bottle of beer. We gained thirty-five pounds, but it was so worth it.

And for those of you who think that the whole blanket-with-sleeves product could just as easily be accomplished with a robe worn backwards? We tested that too.

Snuggie

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Snuggie ($15): Don't buy this. Having the most ironic value contributes nothing to the final product when it's constructed out of material that's one step up from a papery hospital gown. Not only are the sleeves too cramped, the bottom part—the part that keeps your feet warm when you're lying down—isn't long enough for anyone of a decent height. I'm only 5' 10", and I have to bend my knees to keep all of my body covered. Bend them! This body wasn't constructed for that.

The Snuggie is also the most static-prone of all the blankets, and comes in such neon colors that surely are not found in nature. There's a reason why this is the cheapest of the bunch, which means you should only consider this if you have a plus-sized dog you want to dress up as a radioactive Superman. Krypto, if you will. Nobody else should buy it.

At $15, it's the cheapest

Can be conveniently found at many lousy stores

Generates a lot of static when being taken off

Thin, papery material

Too short for most people

Slanket

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Slanket ($38): The most expensive of the major three, the Slanket is where you turn when you want to make sure you get the best for your blanket money. It's 60 inches x 95 inches, so it's long enough even for people over 6 feet, and is made out of polyester microfibers, so it's soft and thick. Essentially, it's everything the Snuggie is not.

When someone asks why a regular blanket won't do, the Slanket is the answer. The sleeves are wizardy enough to keep you warm and allow enough space for maneuverability (gaming is the most prominent example). It has the most variety of colors choices—11 at my count—and is an example of the concept done right. If you're serious about staying warm while also keeping your hands one extra layer of material away from being able to fondle your genitals, this is it. [Slanket]

Very comfortable, very long, very usable

Comes in a wide variety of couch-matching colors

Most expensive of the 3 normal ones

Still generates a little static when removed

Freedom Blanket

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Freedom Blanket ($30): The original blanket with sleeves has become, unfortunately, lost between the media blitz of the Snuggie and the web-presence of the Slanket. But it shouldn't be. The price, $30, reflects exactly how the Freedom Blanket performs: somewhere in-between the Snuggie and the Slanket.

The Freedom Blanket isn't quite as comfortable as the Slanket, but comparing it to the Snuggie would be like comparing rubbing your face with a cotton towel to rubbing your face with Joaquin Phoenix's beard. At 72 inches, it's also longer than the Snuggie, but still falls slightly short of the Slanket's 95 inches. And that's pretty much the whole story.

If you don't want a piece of crap like the Snuggie but can't get over the fact that you're paying a couple Hamiltons for a blanket with sleeves, the Freedom Blanket is a good compromise. Plus, you'll sleep well knowing that you're supporting the people who actually invented the idea instead of someone who knows how to copy very well. [Freedom Blanket]

More comfortable than the Snuggie

Not quite as expensive as the Slanket

Also generates spouse-shocking static when removed

Slightly too short for tall people

Blankoat

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Sruli Recht Blankoat ($330): The Blankoat is to the other three blankets as getting a full service massage is to setting your showerhead into massage mode. They may sound similar, but it's an entirely alien concept. If you have enough money to spend $330 on a gigantic 120-inch long blanket made out of wool from Icelandic sheep, you have enough money to run your heater and walk around in your underwear instead.

You know how wool sweaters are itchy? This is a wool sweater for your entire body. If you like wool, great—this will keep you very, very warm. If you don't, wearing this while watching an episode of America's Next Top Model is like an hour enduring Gitmo's mildest torture session.

But if your question is whether or not the Blankoat does its job, the answer is yes. With this much material, you can wrap yourself entirely inside the thing—including your head—with only a small hole left for your face. Having actually never lived in Iceland, or Boston, or anywhere where you actually have to physically move snow away so you can travel, I can't say whether the Blankoat would be worth the money in those situations. I imagine it would. But you're still paying $330, which is John Mayer money. [Blankoat]

Provides the most coverage of all the solutions

Wool is scratchy

It's $330!!

A Robe

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A Bathrobe ($42 or cheaper): You may already have one of these. You may also wonder why you can't just turn one backwards and be done with it. Two reasons. One, no robe is long enough to cover your feet. People don't enjoy falling down repeatedly when going for a drink of water. Two, the sleeves aren't long enough to provide adequate coverage like all of the above options (save for the Snuggie). [Low-priced bathrobe on Amazon]

You may already own one, in which case it's free

Doesn't cover your feet when lying down, doesn't cover your arms adequately

Here's what you should take away. Get the Slanket if you're serious about staying warm while lying on your couch, the Freedom Blanket if you're not. Nobody anywhere should buy the Snuggie. The Blankoat is for rich people who can afford Icelandic wool. Bathrobes do not work, no matter how much you wish them to.

Thank you, Snuggie, for raising blanket-with-sleeves awareness. Now get out.