God, Please Save These Troubled States

We're starting a new weekly feature here at Buzznet in an effort to spread propaganda share with you things that we think are awesome. Each week, a different Buzznet staff member (and sometimes, a band member or community member) will give praise to the best in music, movies, art, television, books, and whatever else they're digging. AND YOU WILL LIKE IT! Or not. But come on in and enjoy the fun!

So I'm (Panasonicyouth) handling this week's inaugural run of the Buzz Guide. Expect the unexpected!

MUSIC

There's few things I am more excited and enthused by right now than Strike Anywhere's Iron Front. Released less than a month ago on Bridge 9 Records, it's a refreshing and inspiring slab of incredibly catchy melodic hardcore. Half this site listens to pop "punk" and completely ignores melodic hardcore. WHY. I am changing that. If you like your music to be infectious, fast, and thoughtful, get into this.

BOOKS

So, reading the Twilight series is painful to me, so I need something to wash away all the bad feelings. I've been doing that with John Ajvide Lindqvist's Let The Right One In before I go to bed. It's incredibly haunting, poetic, and terrifying. I've got less than 60 pages left and I'm in love. THIS is how you write about vampires and love. Also, it's all about being bullied and we all know my childhood was TRAUMATIC, so this book has already earned a soft spot in my heart.

MOVIES

Look, call me a hipster. I DON'T CARE. This movie is so wonderful for expanding on the subtext in the children's novel to create a two-hour extravaganza of joy, anger, fear, and sadness. THIS IS NOT A CHILDREN'S MOVIE, ALSO. It's a movie for adults who read the book as children. And it is glorious. Near tears? Yep. Smiling ear to ear? Gotcha. Wishing it never ended? That makes a fine movie. Go see Where The Wild Things Are.

TELEVISION

I don't actually have cable (THANK YOU, HULU), but I don't miss this show. GLEE is not perfect, but what it does get right redeems everything else. Subversive, hilarious, and wildly entertaining. It's an appreciation of music and, to a greater extent, of all of us in high school who did what we loved, even though it made us unpopular. Also: Jane Lynch. I'm a fan.

ART

The Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles (located in Little Tokyo) just started their sequel to their 2007 Giant Robot exhibit. Let it be known: I LOVE GIANT ROBOT. This exhibit is a celebration of all things Giant Robot and focuses on artists who have either appeared in the pages or on the cover of the magazine. If you live in Los Angeles or you're going to be here before January 24, 2010, make a point to go.

INTERNET

And the best thing I've come across on the Internet this week is Movember, a movement to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer. Grow gross, disgusting, and slightly ironic mustaches during the month of November for a good cause. I'm sorry, that sounds like the best idea of all time. Head on over to the Movember site and see how you can help!

Signing off,

Mark/Panasonicyouth

Look, if you're not watching GLEE these days, you're missing out on a show that's unique, hilarious, subversive, and FULL OF MUSICAL GOODNESS. In honor of one of the best shows on modern television, Buzznet is giving away 5 prize packs to the best representations of your love for GLEE. Bust out your cameras and get entering!

Full instructions on how to win a GLEE prize pack inside...

In an attempt to break a world record or two and to capture images for their upcoming video for their new single, "Kings and Queens," 30 Seconds To Mars will be shutting down the world-famous Santa Monica Pier on the evening of October 12th. Additionally, they'll also be taking over Hollywood and Highland. What do they need from you to help them reach this insane accomplishment? Your bicycle!

Find out why 30 Seconds To Mars need bicycles for their new music video...

Dudes. Dudettes. Do you love Where The Wild Things Are? Are you excited to see Spike Jonze's adaptation on the big screen? Do you have an endless supply of wit? Then I have the best contest for you! Buzznet is giving away 15 special edition "furry" editions of the The Wild Things that covers the making of the film. All you have to do is provide the best caption for one of the images pulled directly from the movie in order to win!

Full instructions for our caption contest inside...

You would think that after making a QOTD thread specifically to remind me to post this new photo assignment, I wouldn't forget about it. Talk about irony. Anyway, we're marching forward by wrapping up assignment #57 (Near/Far) and moving onto our new assignment: Light/Dark. Yes, this is going to fun. Yes, it's going to rule. Get out your cameras and start shooting!

Full results of assignment 57 inside, along with instructions for new assignment...