Ad Classics: RIDLEY SCOTT, "1984" MACINTOSH

           We started posting these “ad classics” under the philosophy that a commercial is a movie told in thirty seconds (sometimes up to two minutes). And because today many movies, like Transformers or New Year’s, are so overwhelmed by product placement that they have essentially become two-hour ads. We have chosen to revive the ‘ad classics’ positing to collect a few more samples of good storytelling, even if they are for commercial ends.

            Ridley Scott is perhaps one of the greatest filmmakers working today. Right after working on Blade Runner, Scott was commissioned by Apple Computers to create the Super Bowl Spot for the release of the first Macintosh. At the time computers were regarded as objects from an Orwellian dystopia by most people. This was because the personal computer had not yet come into existence; the Macintosh was going to change that.

            Apple has always been known for great advertising. They gave us The Misfits Poem and Justin Long with their campaign “I Am A Mac”.  This is the ad that started it all. The  ad cost nearly 1 million dollars, an amount previously unheard of in advertising. Not only was it a marketing success (the ad was re-broadcasted in every subsequent talk show, generating millions in free advertising) but it also shows why we are all so excited for Ridley Scott return to Sci Fi with Prometheus. Enjoy:

The top image is from a "remastered" version where an iPod was added to the runner. George Lucas is not the only person who goes back to re-tweak masterpieces. 

Review: DRAG ME TO HELL

There are times in which we can all enjoy a good bad movie. There are even some great bad movies that we can all enjoy; The Mummy Trilogy is probably the best example of the latter. But there is a fine line between a good bad movie and a bad movie that you simply happened to enjoy one day. I think that the difference lies in the filmmakers’ love for film or over their love for money but I might be a bit optimistic for saying so. Nevertheless a key difference is that good bad movie knows exactly what it is and what it wants to achieve regardless on whether it was made for money or love.

I Don't Think I'll Revolt

Finally, a book to movie adaptation that I am not deathly afraid of.

As a hardcore fan of C.D. Payne's Youth In Revolt, it would be difficult to win my approval for the film adaptation.

The book is about 14 year-old Nick Twisp, an extremely intelligent, and extremely horny boy. He has two missions in life; read more books, and lose his virginity to the ever elusive Sheeni Saunders.

It is easily one of the funniest books I have ever read, and it is also one of the most graphic. If they were to make this movie true to the book, it would be rated X. However, they want to make money on this thing, and I think MIchael Cera doing an X rated movie would be, for lack of a better phrase, the end of his career.

So here we have MIchael Cera saddled with a character that he has never played before - someone charismatic, and someone with the vocabulary of someone 40 years older than him.

And you know what? I think he can do it. Not because I want him to be able to. Because I really do. I know he has played the same character over and over. But, it is because the script has always called for it. I believe in my heart he can pull it off. So Michael, if you are reading this, DON'T LET ME DOWN.

As for Sheeni, I don't know what to expect. The character of Sheeni is very complex, and not just anyone can play her. If you've read the book, you know what I mean. If you haven't, think of Hermione Granger, but way more promiscuous. Portia Doubleday is cast as Sheeni. I don't know her work, and I hope she can make it happen.

As for the rest of the cast, I think it looks great. We have Ari Graynor (who I mentioned was great in Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist), Steve Buscemi, Jonathan B. Wright, Jean Smart, Fred Willard, Justin Long, Ray Liotta, and Zach Galifianakis.

Miguel Arteta is signed on to direct. The only two things I have seen of his are single episodes of The Office and Freaks and Geeks. And I can't recall an episode I didn't like of either. So...

Sounds good to me. I look forward to this movie greatly.


Oh, and if you haven't read the book, go ahead and pick it up. It's among the best books I've read.

Review: ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO

So Zack and Miri made a porno. Then I reviewed it.

Basic Summary (Spoilers May Occur) - not major ones though!

Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) are two friends who have known each other in the platonic way since 1st grade. Now they live in a little loft in the suburbs. However, neither of them have jobs that are that great. Zack works with his best friend Delany (Craig Robinson) at a coffee shop known as Bean-n-Gone, under an unforgiving boss (Gerry Bednob). After work one day, Zack purchases a 'self pleasure' item, and subsequently finds out he cannot pay the bills for the month. The power and water get shut down. So rather than live like hobos, they get Delany to invest as a producer, and decide to join the porn industry with Zack and Miri as the main stars. However... soon it becomes apparent that this media venture will not run as smoothly as it did on paper.

Kevin Smith Makes a Porno

Why is that the word 'porno' is so much funnier than 'porn'?

Whatever the reason, Kevin Smith knows his comedy, and is back with an all new film, Zack and Miri Make a Porno.

Zack and Miri (Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks) star as two life long friends who, in order to make money to keep their apartment, decide to make a porno. But sex on camera isn't all daises and bundt cake, and soon the two realize that they may have more feelings for each other than they previously expected.

The cast looks great. While not part of the Askewniverse, Smith has endeavored to cast a bunch of his regulars, including but not limited to Jeff Anderson and Jason Mewes.

But the cast is also riddled with Apatow's gang. Besides the obvious Seth Rogen, Smith has cast Justin Long, Craig Robinson, and Gerry Bednob. I haven't seen Bednob in a movie since his memorable cameo in Walk Hard, so I am looking forward to that with great excitement.

This movie is sure to be hilarious. The trailer has been released, so definitely check it out. I know I'll be there opening night.

Here's the trailer. It's Pretty NSFW, but hilarious and Craig Robinson seems to steal almost every laugh.



PS - The poster that I uploaded is pretty great. However, it's the Canadian one. This was banned in the US. Oh, that Kevin Smith.

Zack and Miri discharge October 31.