Art is Dead

I used to post a "YouTube Picks of the Week", but that got kind of old, pretty quick. I've finally found one worth posting again, though it's not quite filmmaking at it's best.

I'm sure I've posted at least one video by Bo Burnham, and while his brilliant wordplay makes him, in my opinion, one of the greatest wordsmiths of our generation, he released a song on his newest album called "Art is Dead". It's not really anything to do with movies, but Burnham started on YouTube, and he's making his way to the silver screens soon enough, so just suck it up and deal with it while I talk about this song. K? K.

"Art is Dead" is a song that appears towards the end of his newest album. It's not at the beginning for a reason, and it's not the final song for a reason, but it's right near the end for a reason. "Art is Dead" is not your typical lyrical tour-de-force that Burnham specializes in, there's not a single sex joke in it, it's not a rap, and it certainly doesn't attempt to be very funny. "Art is Dead" is something that I haven't heard or seen in a young comedian (not to mention that Burnham might be the youngest popular comedian around) maybe ever. I've seen Lewis Back touch on it, and I've heard Bill Cosby close with it.

"Art is Dead" is a song about reflection. A legitimate reflection of art, desire, and the emotions connected to achieving both. What Ricky Gervais achieves in his entire series Extras, Burnham almost completely achieves in this tiny little song. The final lines literally haunt me.

The song may hit me hard for any number of reasons. Perhaps it's because I know firsthand what it's like to look in on the world Burnham sings about here. Perhaps it's because Burnham and I share the same dream, and perhaps it's because Burnham has achieved it, and I haven't, and perhaps it's because Burnham did in fact achieve it, just like so many, but unlike so many he's not forgotten who he is, and what he really believes in, or perhaps it's just a catchy tune.

The song could strike anyone for any purpose for any number of reasons. The point here is not why the song was written, or what the song was written about, or what, in writing it, Burnham truly wants to express. The point here is that it was written.

And that, that right there, is what takes him one step above being "just a kid".

YouTube Pick of the Week

This week goes back to Mr. Bo Burnham, with his newest video. While it's not especially hilarious, it does capture the essence of YouTube completely.

Enjoy!

YouTube Pick of the Week

Hey guys. Sorry about the lateness.

This week's pick is actually directly related to YouTube.

For those of you who don't already know Bo Burnham's music, you should definitely check him out. He is a wordsmith for the ages, and I can foresee him joining the ranks of Al Yankovic and Kanye one day. You can also look for him in Judd Apatow's upcoming High School Musical Parody.

This is the song he performed at YouTube live, in San Francisco this past Saturday.




Be sure to check out his YouTube.

What isn't Judd Apatow doing these days?

Judd Apatow. I've heard of him (obviously), you've heard of him (likely) and even the little baby what will be born in 10 seconds will hear of him soon enough. Since 2007, Apatow has become the biggest comedy producer in all of Hollywood. I know there has been a lot of talk about him lately (there always is), even on this blog. So I figured I would do a big ole' update about all his upcoming projects right now, knowing that I'll probably have to do another in three weeks.

To Sum Up: In the film industry, Judd headed the producing (and sometimes directing and writing) of Crossing the Bridge, Heavyweights, Celtic Pride, The Cable Guy, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie, Kicking & Screaming, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Fun with Dick and Jane, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, The TV Set, Knocked Up, Superbad, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Drillbit Taylor, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Step Brothers, and Pineapple Express.

So, now what is Judd doing?


Get Him to the Greek

I already talked about this one in the past so this post will be short. Pretty much, Aldous Snow (Russell Brand's character from Forgetting Sarah Marshall) is back on drugs and he is also still a rock star. He needs to get from London to the Greek theater in Los Angeles, and is relying on a 'fresh out of college' insurance adjuster (Jonah Hill) to get him there. Since Hill was also in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, it seems weird that he is not going to be playing the same character this time around. Or is he... nobody really knows yet...

Funny People

Also previously written posted about, the next feature to be DIRECTED by Judd (40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up) is called Funny People. Not surprisingly it is about stand up comedy. The film will star Adam Sandler (as a comedian with a near death experience), Seth Rogen, Aubrey Plaza (30 Rock), Jonah Hill. For this film, Apatow hosted two shows at the UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade) in Hollywood, featuring all the principal actors as well as special appearances from Andy Dick, Kevin James, Mike O'Connell and Ken Jeong (Million Dollar Strong), and some others. Sandler performed in character for about 20 minutes, and all the others proved they can be just as hilarious in real life as they are on the screen.

Anti High School Musical

Over the summer Apatow hosted a show at the Montreal 'Just For Laughs' festival. His lineup featured Craig Robinson, Million Dollar Strong, Rogen, Hill, and many more- including Judd onstage performing a version of 'Painted Pony', with music from Craig Robinson's jazz band. However, Judd was not the last one on the menu that night, in fact, 18 year old Bo Burnham came on stage after (which if you know the world of comedy is a big deal). Burnham is a pun master, and has many hilarious comedy songs. Apparently, Judd loved the songs and Burnham so much that he enlisted him to write a musical, an 'Anti-High School Musical' so to speak, because it will probably be quite filthy. Burnham may star in the film as well. Sounds like a musical Superbad... but taking place over a whole year as opposed to one night.

Sherlock Holmes

Teaming up with Sasha Baron Cohen (Borat) as the illustrious detective and Will Ferrell as Dr. Watson, Apatow is bringing what might be the first vulgar comedy about Sherlock Holms. Not much else on that at the moment besides the fact that Robert Downey Jr. is also starring as Sherlock in another adaptation, which will probably ring more 'true' to the original... hopefully they aren't released at the same time. I could see a lot of people being angry that they walked into the wrong theater.

5 Year Engagement

After "Greek" Nick Stoller and Jason Segel are reuniting to write and create a romantic comedy about a couple who has been engaged for five years and I suppose something happens to upset the groove they have fallen into. Sounds like fun, but also sounds like a prequel to Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Maybe Aldous Snow will be in this one too... that would be fun. I don't see Russell Brand really playing any other characters in Apatow-land.

Year One

Harold Ramis is making this one (You'll remember him from the 1980's). Starring Michael Cera (Superbad) and Jack Black as people in the first year ever (of all time). It should be fun watching Cera and Black interacting in slapstick ways with the formation of the biblical events we know so well. I say expect a delightful 1980's style comedy... they say expect a Monty Pyton comedy. I didn't know other people could make Monty Python movies... then again, those were made in the 1980's as well, so maybe we're both right.

Pineapple Express / Superbad Crossover

This might be a rumor. I have no idea. It could work I suppose as both films take place in Clark County... only problem is Seth Rogen has roles in both, so unless they nix the cops (which were integral to Superbad) it would be quite a weird film. Then again... digital double effects have been used in more weird ways...