Pop Culture Blast

Monday Morning Pick-Me-Up: Damien Jurado and Star Wars Lip Reading

Plus hardcore Christmas and John Oliver on regifting.

By Seth Sommerfeld December 21, 2015

THESE AREN'T THE WORDS YOU'RE LOOKING FOR...

You may have heard that a new Star Wars movie came out this past weekend. It made a little money (a box office record $238 million). And while there are plenty of well done humorous moments in the latest installment of the saga, Star Wars: The Force Awakens still can't match the comedic chops of Bad Lip Reading's take on Star Wars. Last week, the popular web video series released a clip for each of the original three Star Wars movies. The adventures of Luke, Han, and Leia have never been so absurd (though, admittedly, writing fake lip reading has to be easier when many of the main characters—Darth Vader, C-3PO, etc.—don't have lips), and Obi-Wan and Yoda's musical numbers are comedic gold. Bonus: Jack Black (the chillest Darth Vader), Maya Rudolph (an especially exasperated Leia), and Bill Hader (a variety of characters) all lend their vocal talents to the videos.

BLURRY VISIONS

These days, Damien Jurado feels less like a singer-songwriter from Seattle and more like one from some ethereal outer rim planet. Jurado will continue his psychedelic songwriting journey with producer Richard Swift for the third straight album on his newly announced LP Visions of Us on the Land. The record's first single, "Exit 353", taps into the same far out and hazy vibe of the past two records while exploring the idea of being lost in song. Visions of Us on the Land arrives March 18 on Secretly Canadian

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GETTING PASSED ON

With Christmas just days away, you must prepare yourself for receiving an underwhelming present or two. While Last Week Tonight is on break until February (editor's note: Boooooo!), John Oliver and his team delivered a small early gift for the season in the form of a web exclusive clip on the art of regifting. It's valuable comedic insight that makes clear why regifting at an office party is like ocean urination and how gift bags are like sweatpants.

BLACK (AND GREEN AND RED) FLAG

What's the worst thing about Christmas music? No circle pits. Perhaps Henry Rollins and Stephen Colbert's rendition of "Carol of the Bells" can change that for future generations. I mean, is the pairing really any more unusual than Bing Crosby and David Bowie?

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