In 2007

JibJab and MartyFeldmanizeMe.com wishes you a better 2008 than 2007!

In 2007
Uploaded by JibJab

Four movies this week

I love this time of year! It's when serious, involving, artistic, well-acted, thoughtfully-written, and lovingly-directed movies are released. Don't get me wrong, I like a good popcorn movie as much as anyone, but for my money there's nothing like seeing a great movie in a theater surrounded by other serious filmgoers.

I've gotten to see four movies so far this week. (With luck, I'll take in another two before the new year.) My succinct reviews, for anyone who cares:

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street:
Recipe: 2 parts "Edward Scissorhands" + 1 part "Nightmare on Elm Street" + a dash of "Beauty and the Beast"

I'll warn you that I love Tim Burton's films, so it should come as no surprise that I loved Sweeney Todd. It is a beautiful film full of spectacularly moody sets, lovely music, terrific acting, and--be forewarned--blood that splatters, drips, stains, pools, and falls in curtains from the necks of those unlucky enough to sit in the chair of wronged and vengeful barber, Benjamin Barker. Johnny Depp gives another perfect and haunting performance in this film, channeling the obsessive rage of a man who's had everything taken from him. I highly recommend this film, but with caveats--some older filmgoers who sat near me at Sweeney Todd clearly felt the blood was excessive.

Juno
Recipe: 1 part "Little Miss Sunshine" + 1 part "Napoleon Dynamite" + 1 pinch of Afterschool Special

Another film I thoroughly enjoyed was Juno. Ellen Page's performance as a pregnant high schooler could've gotten lost in the sometimes overly pat dialog or might've stumbled into "Movie of the Week" territory, but instead she creates one of the truest-feeling teen characters to come along in memory. The movie goes where one doesn't expect, and even when it turns emotional it stays light and funny. This movie keeps the quirks and mood of recent indie films but feels more real and meaningful than some of the indie comedies I've seen in recent years. And praise is deserved for Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman, who manage to create living people out of two characters that could've been played as tired, yuppie stereotypes.

I Am Legend
Recipe: 2 parts "28 Days" + 1 part "Cast Away"+ a hint of "Turner and Hooch"

Having seen reviews of "I am Legend," I was prepared to be disappointed. In spite of--or perhaps because of--the negative reviews, I found myself pleasantly surprised. It isn't great, but it is quite good. With amazing special effects and another strong performance from Will Smith, "I Am Legend" has some things that work, but it also has a number of significant problems. Coming on the heels of some recent (and better) zombie and end-of-the-world movies such as "28 Days" and "Children of Men," this movie feels a little stale out of the box.

The biggest problem I had was with the product placement. This is the first movie I can remember where product placement significantly impacted my ability to appreciate the film. At the beginning of the movie, Will Smith drives through New York's empty but still cluttered streets in a Mustang while hunting deer. It is clear he'd get more deer sneaking around with his telescopic rifle than he would risking his life and scaring the deer with the noise from his engine, and the ludicrous and unbelievable scene starts the movie out on exactly the wrong foot. And, the movie ends on the wrong foot thanks to Ford, again. Two characters arrive to safety in a Ford SUV so sparkly clean it looks like it just came off the showroom floor rather than was driven for hundreds of miles through dusty empty streets and highways with the constant danger of imminent attack and death. I actually might've given this film 3 stars, but thanks to Ford's desperation and Warner Bros' greed, I would only give it 2 stars.

No Country for Old Men
Recipe: 1 part "Zodiac" + 2 parts any Clint Eastwood film + 1 tsp "Dudes"

I had the opposite reaction to this film as I did for "I Am Legend". Perhaps due to the flood of glowing reviews, I was prepared for the best film of the year, and while it is a great film, I'm not sure it lived up to the hype. The film is gloriously dusty and brimming with dry, spare, and terrific performances by Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and many others. What is most striking is how the film takes viewers to unexpected places--it isn't giving anything away to say the finale you expect doesn't occur, and there are enough false endings in this movie to suffice for another three films. While it is a recommendable film (with a caveat for the plethora of sudden and cold-blooded violence), I can't say "No Country for Old Men" left me as impressed as "Sweeney Todd" or even last spring's "Zodiac."

Feel free to let me know if you agree, disagree, or have a different view on any of these movies!

National Guard is Wacky Fun

I know recruiting for the armed forces is tough these days (what with a never-ending and unpopular war in a country that didn't present a risk while Al Qaeda was flourishing elsewhere) (not that I have an opinion on that subject), but does this seem like an appropriate ad for the National Guard?

Serving your country used to be about pride, honor, honing your body and skills, and being a part of an elite team. Now it's about hanging out at bad 3D movies, throwing popcorn, and looking like you wandered away from the set of "Happy Days"? I wasn't sure if this ad was for a United States armed service or for the upcoming release of Mamma Mia 3D! (BTW, speaking of Mamma Mia, have you seen the trailer? Is it just me, or does Meryl Streep look really uncomfortable singing and prancing around?)

Did MacGyver Lie to Us?

No he did not, and Mythbusters show us. (I love Mythbusters!)

Why are companies so addicted to chagning logos?

Thanks to Beard Crumbs for this link: Brand New presents old logos and their newly designed counterparts. It provides the perfect opportunity to ask yourself, "How much did they pay for a logo that is worse than the one they had?"

In the old days of marketing, you got a brand that was recognized and had value, and you stuck to it. Nowadays, with marketers and agencies changing quicker than oil filters, everyone seems compelled to leave their mark on a brand. And what is easier (or more costly or less valuable) than changing a logo?

(I personally experienced this a couple years ago. I worked at a travel brand who hired a guy to run marketing, and the first thing he did was to replace the distinctive logo with a horrible new logo that featured a gradient, making it almost impossible to work with against any background and very expensive to execute in any medium requiring paint or stitching, such as their very common polo shirts. Now, three years later, the brand is back to a simple logo that echoes the original. The company probably spent several million dollars on the two logo switches, which brought it absolutely zero value.)

So, surf to this site and ask yourself if any of the new logos on the first page other than Pick n Pay are really better. Some of the new logos are so bad, I wonder how the agency sold the brand.

Spirit Airlines' logo was distinctive and classy, and their new one is generic and forgettable. I understand what Sungless Hut was trying to do with their new logo, but the use of a translucent lens to represent a brand is simply too subtle and damn near impossible to use in some media. And Reader's Digest somehow managed to take the emphasis away from the reader and put it on the digest, which strikes me a very sad and telling sign.

CNN.com sucks

I once before took CNN.com to task for allowing their home page to be devalued by the tasteless ads they accept. I felt the debt consolidation ads featuring dancing presidents and dancing aliens were childish, unprofessional, and inappropriate for a serious news site like CNN. (They'd be perfect on FoxNews.com, however.)

Today CNN sunk to a new low. They feature an ad that doesn't appear to be an ad. Right above the CNN TV links is a large video window that says, "Creepy gas station | Watch Now." The only thing that labels this an ad is some 6-point font that is light gray on a white background. No person looking at it would think it's an ad--there's no advertising copy and no headline.

If an advertiser tried to place an add on CNN that appeared to be fake news, the network would reject it. But CNN continues to take ads that seem more appropriate for the Drudge Report than for the home page of the most respected news source in the world. Of course, if they keep taking these same sorts of ads, they won't need to worry about being very respected any longer, will they?

Merry Christmas!

Just a quick note to wish you a Merry Christmas. I hope Santa was good for you, and here's wishing 2008 brings more peace to our troubled world.

Nat King Cole Classic

One more music video to brighten your holidays. The word "classic" has never been more appropriate than for Nat King Cole's version of "The Christmas Song."

David Bowie and Bing Crosby

You've heard this number before, but you probably never saw it. David Bowie sings a duet with Bing Crosby on the Little Drummer Boy for the kind of TV holiday special they don't make any more.

This was recorded in September 1977 for Bing's television special, Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas. Bing died a little over a month after recording this song.

It never should've worked, but it does.

Fairytale of New York

The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl sing one of the more unusual contemporary holiday tunes, Fairytale of New York.

When will Amy Winehouse Die?

I've ranted on this blog about the wasted talent that is Amy Winehouse. It's frustrating to see this kind of talent in the hands of someone so incapable of living, isn't it?

Now, you can do more than sit idly by and read the headlines about her drugs, washed-out performances, and arrests. You can get in the Amy Winehouse Death Pool!

Visit WhenWillAmyWinehouseDie.com and enter your guess. The winner will receive an iPod Touch (which you can use to enjoy her music for years after she's gone.)

Pure genius

This is the true spirit of entrepreneurship at work. Some guy auctioned off the opportunity to drive a friend mad. He's going to send some random postcards from Europe to the winning bidder's friend, and the postcards will include intimate details. But, the recipient won't be able to decipher the signature or understand why they're receiving strange postcards from Poland.

It's a great idea, and the guy probably deserves the $415 he made on the winning bid. $415 to send three postcards from Poland? Sounds like this is a business model waiting for the right entrepreneur!

Americans at their best

Someone tell me how this video ends. I got halfway through it and had to stop watching it out of shame.

Thanks to Randy for sharing this!

God Hates the World

I wasn't going to post this. It's pretty much the most evil thing I can recall. This video is by the Westboro Baptist Church (those lovely and kind folks who scream “God Hates Fags” and protest at the funerals of fallen service men and and women). They rewrote the lyrics to "We are the World" (and I hope they get their asses sued right out of existence.)

With lyrics like "You are all in the devil's family and you're all headed straight to hell," this video is damn near unwatchable. But, I found it a good reminder this holiday season that being "religious" and "faithful" is no guarantee of goodness. Peace on Earth and Goodwill to Men can come from people of all stripes, and not just the folks you'll find in church on the 25th. Particularly not the folks at the Westboro Baptist Church.

Watch the final 30 seconds to cement your feelings about the good people at the Westboro Baptist Church. May the folks in this video find the true meaning of Christmas this holiday season.


http://view.break.com/278059 - Watch more free videos

Good Will To Men

A somber, wary holiday short from Hanna-Barbera. Wouldn't seem appropriate for kids nowadays, would it?

All I Get for Christmas is Blue

Picked up Over the Rhine's holiday CD, Snow Angels, and I love it. I am a fan of Christmas music, but normally find original holiday music falls short. This CD has hints of holiday blues, Christmas hope, and a just a bit of sap, and it's become my favorite CD of the season.

This video shows the band performing "All I Get for Christmas is Blue." I prefer the acoustic version on the CD, but it's a terrific tune!

Agency Holiday Cards Rated

A site we like--this blog reviews the online holiday greeting cards of different interactive and ad agencies. Lots of fun clicking to be done here: http://agencyholiday.blogspot.com/

Christmas in Crawford, 2004

It's only sad because it's true.

Perfect game in Wii Bowling

I know I haven't been blogging a lot lately, but cut me a break--Work's busy and it's the holidays!

Thanks to Patrick for sharing this. Someone create a lego robot that plays a Wii, and plays it very well. As Patricks said, "The next time someone tells you that you’ve got too much time on your hand, simply point out to them that you’ve never created a lego robot that bowls perfect games on the Wii."

If you care to learn more about how one game can be programmed to play another, check out http://www.battlebricks.com/wiigobot/index.html.

Speed Racer

When I heard the Wachowski brothers were making a Speed Racer movie, I held out some hope it would be more Matrix than its sequels, but this just looks crappy campy. I've seen more realistic racing graphics in video games, and John Goodman looks like he's trying to play a cartoon character (which I suppose he is.)

You want a bigger logo? You can't handle a bigger logo!

Thanks to Randy for sending this. Might not be funny to you unless you've worked in an agency, but it still might bring a smile to your face.

SNL: People Getting Punched Just Before Eating

One of the most popular vids on Hulu. Not sure why it's popular. Not sure why I laughed. Perhaps you'll explain it.

Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey

I had to post this because it's just so damn weird (and my dad sent the link to me.) (Always listen to your parents, kids!)

What Internet Bubble?

Funniest video of the week! Thanks to Josh for sharing.

Colonel Sanders is Living Large

Somewhere in the Nevada desert, Colonel Sanders is living large. We thought he had passed away, but he's apparently living on the corner of Groom Road and Old Mill Street.

This enormous homage to the Colonel was created a year ago and finally found its way into Google Maps.

Does this sell chicken? I doubt it.

MILF sale!

Here's the deal I've been waiting for: MILFs are on sale!

Spirit Airlines ran a MILF sale and claims they were clueless as to the culturate reference. They thought it innocently stood for "Many Islands. Low Fares."

Sure they did!

Why PR Sucks

The headline read, "Comedy Superstar Dana Carvey to Tape National Television Special Live From Santa Rosa."

I couldn't even get past the words "Comedy Superstar Dana Carvey" in the headline much less read the article.

I don't know why you'd care, but here's the breathless, inaccurate, and overhyped press release.

Sesame Street Rocks

Back in the day, I think Sesame Street was more for adults than kids. Check out these songs--it was the Adult Swim of its era!

And, the last clip is one for those of you who watched Sesame Street prior to 1982. That's the year Will Lee, who was better known as Mr. Hooper, suddenly passed away. Children's Television Workshop struggled with how to address his death on the kids' show, and finally they decided to deal with it honestly.

The final clip below, in which Mr. Hooper's death was explained to Big Bird, was aired on Thanksgiving 1983, and it was selected by the Daytime Emmys as being one of the 10 most influential moments in daytime television history. Earlier in the episode, Big Bird walks backwards with his head between his legs, and when Gordon asks why, the yellow Muppet responds, "Because. Just because." This is why Big Bird accepts Gordon's answer to his sad and unanswerable question in this touching video clip.

Why is being unironic so tough?

Maybe this is what getting old is like. Perhaps this is what the maturity of my 40s is causing. But, while I still love irony, I wonder if a little more sincerity in our culture wouldn't be such a bad thing.

I went to see Enchanted this afternoon. If you know the movie, you're likely thinking I'm crazy. A cartoon fairy-tale princess comes alive in the reality of New York. I can almost hear your eyes rolling (if that's possible). Some of you are thinking it sounds interminable, and you'd be wrong. (The movie is rated at 93% on RottenTomatoes.com).

While the story itself is a trifle--albeit an enjoyable, joyous, and funny one--it got me to thinking how ironic we've all become. Our society is marinated, soaked, dipped, and drizzled with irony. Turn on the TV and we can't get away from it. Take "Lost," for example--one character is hateful, manipulative, spiteful, dangerous, and selfish, yet he's a fan favorite! Why do we love Sawyer? Because, Jack and his genuine, honest, and sure manner is too boring for those of us living in the new millennia. And Sawyer, with his knowing and mischievous look and sarcastic attitude, is darn funny.

TV is full of popular shows and characters that specialize in irony. Years after "Will and Grace" left the air, many still have fond memories for Megan Mullally/Karen Walker/Anastasia Beavherhausen, because she was so fun and ironic. Desperate Housewives? House? Family Guy? All trade in almost constant irony.

And that is what made Enchanted such a pleasant surprise to me. Amy Adams embraces total sincerity in a way that few actresses could. She plays a Disney cartoon princess come alive in modern New York, and she does so in a way that is so completely devoid of sarcasm, so totally unprotected, and so caring of those around her that she (of course) changes lives and creates trouble wherever she goes. And how sad is it that that sort of sincerity can only played for laughs nowadays? Is it really such a bad thing to be so guileless in our ironic society that this sort of openness and honesty can only be a sign of mental illness (which is the way the character is treated by everyone accept one small girl)?

Why does being honest need to be such a problem for our society? A couple days ago I posted a video from a wedding of the bride and groom interrupting their bridal dance to instead do a parody of rap videos. Sure, it's funny, but what is the problem with two people in love acting like they're in love? Today, we're so saturated with the behavior and cynicism of sitcoms and raunchy movie comedies that we can't even genuinely demonstrate love at weddings! Even the first dance of a bride and groom has to be turned into a message that screams, "Sure, we're here because we're in love, but that's not nearly as important as how funny and ironic we can be!"

So, while I'll still watch "The Office", I wonder if our culture wouldn't be better off with a bit of genuineness and honesty. Maybe if we were all more comfortable with who we are and the way we feel, we wouldn't have to work so hard at building a wall of knowing casualness and eye-winking humor around our emotions.