1. AppleInsider has some evocative and eerie photos from the inside of the mansion Steve Jobs used to live in, which has fallen into disrepair. Jobs reportedly wants to tear the house down, while local preservationists want it to stay standing. These photos are courtesy Jonathan Haeber, whose work can be found here.

["The Jackling House, so it's called, was built back in 1925 for copper mining mogul Daniel Jackling. Preservationists have opposed Jobs' efforts, arguing that it represents one of the few remaining examples of a Spanish Colonial Revival style home and is therefore too historic to destroy. They also allege that Jobs, who reportedly lived in the house sometime between the 80's and 90's, intentionally let the house fall apart so that it would be easier to justify a case for tearing it down."]

2. And now, unofficial sequels to films that came out in 2007. First, Steve Wiebe of The King of Kong has set a brand new video-game record for Donkey Kong, Jr. Fortunately, it is not the Donkey Kong Jr. Math edition. (I actually think everyone who linked to this has made that joke.)

["The new World Record mark was accomplished on March 14 and verified by Twin Galaxies Chief Referee David Nelson. Steve's new World Record mark of 1,139,800 points takes the Donkey Kong Junior crown from fellow Washington state native Ike Hall, who was crowned the DKJ World Champ in August 2008 with a score of 1,033,000, taking the crown that Billy Mitchell had held on the game since 1985."]

3. Woman Claims Father Was Infamous Zodiac Killer. Sequels, part 2. Now, there are a few people every year who come out, claiming to be the Zodiac (and/or D.B. Cooper), but this one seems to have a little more to it than most of the others. Also, I am Jack the Ripper. And the Lindbergh baby.

["She said her father took the glasses off of Stine's face and she kept them all these years and only recently realized they belonged to a murder victim and not her father. Perez said she saw a composite sketch of the Zodiac killer in August 2007 and recognized the man as her father, who died in 1983. She said she had never heard of the Zodiac killer prior to seeing the composite sketch."]

4. Maybe I should just make this unofficial summer movies week here because there's that feeling in the air. I mean, YES, new Jarmusch and all, but HOLY HELL WEREWOLVES. To that end, Robert Zemeckis unfairly gets the Internet in a tizzy when he brings up a potential sequel to Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, one of my five favorite films about Los Angeles. Please discuss HOW AMAZING it is in comments. (I agree with Internet consensus, though. Please don't make this a CGI fest.)

["But when MTV News caught up with director Robert Zemeckis recently, he dropped a news bomb that had our eyes popping cartoon-style out of our sockets. 'I'll tell you what is buzzing around in my head now that we have the ability—the digital tools, performance capture—I'm starting to think about Roger Rabbit,' he told us."]

5. Apropos of nothing, buzz for James Cameron's deeply mysterious Avatar is busting out all over. Time appears to be likening the experience of watching a few minutes of the film to some sort of drug. Steven Soderbergh calls it one of those benchmark movies. The New York Times (quoted below) is apparently making up buzz that doesn't exist. This sort of hype is usually impossible to live up to, but editor emeritus Matt Zoller Seitz has long thought 3D had lots of potential to energize the film-going experience, and it sure sounds like Cameron's experiments with the technology are going to be INTERESTING at least.

["Questioned by telephone recently at his home in Mill Valley, Calif., Mr. Quittner said he was still reeling from the experience. 'It was like doing some kind of drug,' he said, describing a scene in which the movie's hero, played by Sam Worthington, ran around "with this kind of hot alien chick,' was attacked by jaguarlike creatures and was sprinkled with sprites that floated down, like snowflakes. 'You feel like the little feathery things are landing on your arm,' said Mr. Quittner, who remained eager for another dose."]

Quote of the Day:

Image of the Day (click to enlarge): Love Obama or hate Obama, slapping this photo of his dog at six weeks on as much merchandise as possible and then selling said merchandise will end this economic crisis post-haste.

Clip of the Day: Jon Stewart vs. Cliff May on the subject of torture. Surprisingly entertaining for something that goes on this long.

For our international friends who can't see Daily Show clips, fun with spelling!

"Links for the Day": A selection of Links that will hopefully spark discussion. Comments encouraged. Suggestions for links are also welcome. Please send to todd@vanderwerff.us.