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Darren Aronofsky's chilling film on a ballerina's crumbling psyche

Having already made a strong debut at the Venice Film Festival and ran as a sneak preview at Telluride this past weekend (where I saw it), Darren Aronofsky's new picture Black Swan virtuosically mixes ballet, dark psychological drama and a standout performance by Natalie Portman to great cinematic effect. Shot by Matthew Libatique, viewers will recognize the harsh blue light and overall eerie look to the film from his previous work with Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream and The Fountain). The camerawork recalls the director-cinematographer team's previous collaborations too, as it follows the careening choreography or zeroes in on characters' anxiety with short jerky movements.

Jarring photography and other bold moves like these generally divide filmgoers into fans or foe of Aronofsky's ambitious projects, and this work similarly polarizes audiences. Unlike his last film, 2008's lauded Wrestler (which saw the director playing it relatively safe with the blue-collar story of a past-his-prime wrestler), Black Swan's similar story of intense physical struggle is instead couched in the world of the New York Ballet. The setting's stunning visuals and the high stakes of the professional dance world lend themselves well to Aronofsky's over-the-top style—the costumes by Rodarte alone perfectly and gorgeously express the rapidly-unraveling mental state of Portman's character.

Similarly, many are already whispering "Oscar" regarding the actress, who so far has only been nominated (for her 2004 role in Closer). To focus solely on Portman however is to miss some other excellent casting, namely Winona Ryder as the scorned ballerina and Barbara Hershey as an overbearing mother. Coupled with Aronofsky's masterful direction (Oscar-winning or not), Black Swan makes for the kind of ultimately satisfying cinematic experience that can only be achieved by a scope as grand as the director's. It's best seen in theaters when it comes out 1 December 2010.

In the meantime, check out the trailer on iTunes.

WorldChanging Team: by Angie Schmitt One of the most gripping local transportation debates in the United States has been unfolding in Seattle, where the replacement of a...

Raw chocolates infused with love potions, immune-boosters and more

Previously featured as a raw, vegan chocolate option among many, Gnosis stands out for their inventive approach to the concept. Three new "added bonus" flavors, the Aphrodisia Bar, The Superberberry Lime Bar, and the Sacred Feminine Bar, add to their already full line-up of nutritious and antioxidant-rich bars.

The Aphrodisia Bar, appropriately-named for its "stimulating" ingredients, includes Horny Goat Week and Maca—known to increase sexual potency, stamina and energy.

Packed with berries galore, the Superberry Lime Bar fortifies with antioxidants, vitamins and micronutrients. A variety of berries, such as the Shizandra Berry and the Camu Camu Berry, will help strengthen the body's defenses against disease, stress, anxiety, and will lend overall strength to immune systems and general well being.

The Sacred Feminine Bar is a chocolate bar made specifically with Venus in mind. Filled with medicinal herbs, the bar promises to alleviate any pain during a woman's "sacred cycle of life." With key ingredients such as Cramp Bark and Dong Quai mixed in, reducing womanly symptoms can feel like an indulgent treat.

Made entirely by hand in NYC, Gnosis bars sell for just over $9 from their site.

Peter Bregman explores how thinking backwards from your desired goal can help reveal new solutions.

My Tam Nguyen: Rajan Pur, Punjab: An aerial view of flooded areas. | Photo by Mk Chaudhry/EPA (via The Guardian: Pakistan Floods: The Displaced and the Saved)...

The magazine launched a redesigned site today, aiming to increase visitation with a more contextually relevant experience for readers (and advertisers).

DIY project allows people to create personalized envelopes utilizing Google Maps.

A unique robot uses biomimetic movements that allow it to climb trees and travel across difficult terrain.

Discovery and exploration in BBC Earth's new interactive online experience

Now in their 50th year, BBC Earth revamps their Natural History Unit with Life Is, an interactive site full of images, videos and stories of the world's most visually-captivating documentaries and discoveries done by the BBC Earth Team.

Created by The Brooklyn Brothers and Fantasy Interactive, the online destination features content themed around monthly concepts with, such as September's "Colourful." The vibrant collection of videos and photos on the Earth's most colorful wildlife and animals, stunning examples include schools of tropical fish in the Kingman Reef, a Chameleon, and Desert Cactus Flowers.

Users can engage with the Life Is interactive photo gallery by navigating through a widget that filters photos with sliders to select "Hot or Cold" (temperatures), "Fast or Slow" (speeds), "Sky or Sea" (habitats), and color choice. The device comes in handy for navigating through the relevant BBC Earth programming, allowing users access to the media directly from the Life Is website. For those short on time, the site also features a monthly round-up video composed of photos and videos centered around the theme.

With its playful design and stunning images, Life Is delivers the same sense of wonder and discovery as thumbing through old issues of National Geographic—but thoroughly updated for the digital age.

Bill McKibben: An activist caravan to bring one of Jimmy Carter’s solar panels back to the White House symbolizes not only the time the U.S. has lost...

The company unveils a new offering that could change the way users find brands online.

A mural artist's project aims to transform a barrier between two neighborhoods into a gathering point.

While food trucks are popping up in every city and every media outlet, a startup in Finland has found another twist on the ice cream truck concept. Pikku Juttu (Finnish for small things) is a mobile handyman service, offering help to anyone who has a "small thing" that needs to be done, but doesn't have the right tools, know-how or time to do it themselves. Hanging pictures, cleaning gutters, painting a wall — they'll tackle any minor job for EUR 35 per half hour.

As with regular handyman services, customers can make reservations for a set date and time. But mostly, Pikku Juttu's truck drives around the city, visiting a different area every day. It has its own jingle, and customers can also track Pikku Juttu's whereabouts on a Google map, updated by GPS. Payments can be made by debit or credit card, and Pikku Juttu emails customers an itemized list of work done.

The trucks are outfitted like tiny hardware stores, stocking common items like smoke detectors, batteries, extension cords, hooks and screws. Customers who want to give DIY another shot can buy supplies on the spot, and Pikku Juttu's handyman will give them tips on how to tackle their project.

The concept isn't inherently new — knife grinders and other tradesmen roam city streets, too — but its approach to branding and professionalism make it more than a one-man show. Pikku Juttu describes its handymen as nerds, and who knows — it could become the home improvement equivalent of Geek Squad. The company is adding a second van this month, and is seeking qualified handymen to expand within Finland. (Related: Bicycle repair shops on wheels.)

Website: www.pikkujuttu.com
Contact: toimisto@pikkujuttu.com

Spotted: by Marc Hinnenberg

Alison Killing: The results of the Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) have just begun to be made public. The LAGI is an open design competition for...

A public housing building in the city is undergoing environmentally friendly renovations and will be heated with the help of activity from the train station below.