Could someone explain to me what the hell is going on in this picture?

Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Errol Morris (The Thin Blue Line, The Fog of War, Standard Operating Procedure) recently wrote a short piece entitled “Double Exposure” about the history of mug shots over at Newsweek.com

The 19th century images are taken from the book, “Least Wanted: A Century of American Mugshots,” and Morris’ commentary reflects his fascination with the power of photography and perception.

As he says in the article regarding the series of mirrored mugs, “Our profile is like our shadow, something that follows us everywhere. Caught in their own moment of judgement, the subjects appear to be both participant and observer.” Interesting indeed. Check it out here.

This has absolutely nothing to do with movies, but since we veer off topic all the time on our show, I feel justified in sharing it with you.

After my “Bruno in Germany” post yesterday, super fan Nicholas West alerted me to the wonderful website, awkwardfamilyphotos.com.

Of course, I fell in love immediately…especially with the Awkward Hall of Fame.

Check it out, forward it to family members, and try not to piss your under garments.

Just so you know I know something you may not know, doo dah doo dah!  We all know what happened to our boy Eddie. 

Click on the picture to feel the full flame.

Dark Night of the Soul, a collaboration between producer Danger Mouse, the music of Sparklehorse, and the visual brilliance of David Lynch.  The album was not released due to a legal dispute with EMI records and has evolved into a new exhibition at the Michael Kohn Gallery in Los Angeles (May 30 – July 19).  Danger Mouse has released a limited edition art book that includes 100+ pages of photographs by David Lynch, a 24″ X 36″ poster, and a blank custom designed CD-R.  NPR also agreed to stream the album in its entirety on their site.  Bravo on beating the system!

Yes, it’s true…my beard has been immortalized by our friend and fan, “Fat Luggage,” in Longmont, Colorado.

Don’t believe me? Well then, head on over to his endlessly entertaining (and itchy) blog, Beards of Hollywood.

The photo in question was taken by the lovely Dina Scoppettone.

The other day I was walking through Brentwood (yes, O.J.’s Brentwood), when I saw Jean Harlow on a bear skin rug.

It was something I had seen before…an image stripped from the pages of vintage “Vanity Fair”…the soft shadow fireside haze of classic Hollywood.

Suffice to say, it piqued my interest, and I entered the Cambridge Art Gallery for the very first time.  Inside, matted and elegantly framed, was a collection of George Hurrell photography.

If that name doesn’t ring a bell, perhaps, “Grand Seigneur of the Hollywood Portrait” does.  Or, “The Godfather of Glamour Photography.”  Hurrell, whose mesmerizing images filled the pages of fashion magazines in the early days of Hollywood, worked as head of the MGM portrait gallery beginning in 1930.

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National Geographic has extended its original deadline to Monday, April 13th for the Peeps in Places Photo Challenge.  For a slide show of some of the photo entries click here.  I used to love these things, but something is not right about eating them these days.  0 grams of fat!  Can you believe that?  See for yourself.