I think certain commercials obviously strike people as more powerful or influential than others based on their content and the viewers interest as well as the music and imagery used. Some commercials (McDonalds, Ditech, etc) are just terrible but others obviously have some thought and design put into them. Barring Taco Bell (I can't help it, I just have to have their new arrangements of the same ingredients as soon as they let me know about them) almost all of these effective and moving commericals are for movies or video games.
Ever since the opening scene of Karate Kid where Daniel-son is moving cross country with a scenic view of his car crossing the plains set to a soundtrack (don't ask, I don't remember what it was, just that I liked it) I always thought it would be a great job to add soundtracks to movies or commercials. Picking the right song to set the mood and match the chosen imagery is crucial to creating a good commercial or a good soundtrack.
Check these out:
Pineapple Express with "Paper Planes" by MIA
Gears of War with "Mad World" by Gary Jules
Max Payne with "If I Was Your Vampire" by Marylin Manson
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Driving down the road as the sun settled and dusk infringed on my commute home, I noticed three spanish people walking down the enlarged median with bags of something. I like to think they were filled with chips and dip and light beer for their celebration of the weekends arrival. They all seemed to be in good spirits and one was speaking to the others while they smiled at his effort.
At first I thought of how I would hate to have to walk between work or the store or a bus stop, whatever it may have been. But then I realized that they were in good company and feeling better than I was, even though I was the one with air conditioning on and my music blaring. They didn't need more than a couple of other people to listen to and the optimistic arrival of whatever they had been waiting all day to do. Then I envied how easily they were contented.
At first I thought of how I would hate to have to walk between work or the store or a bus stop, whatever it may have been. But then I realized that they were in good company and feeling better than I was, even though I was the one with air conditioning on and my music blaring. They didn't need more than a couple of other people to listen to and the optimistic arrival of whatever they had been waiting all day to do. Then I envied how easily they were contented.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Dave Chappelle standup
Dave Chappelle's stand up specials Killing Them Softly and For What It's Worth are hilarious. His segments on Chip, a homeless dude jerkin it on a bus, and smoking with Indians are worth the DVD alone. Check them out on the internet or in stores.
CHIP NO!!
CHIP NO!!
"Write one if you are legally blind."
This phrase is printed on Virginia's W4 tax form. Keep in mind this is not written in braille but in plain ink.
Why?
Why?
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Whatcha Got by Brother Ali
Brother Ali has been a part of my underground rap collection for a while now, but mainly his older stuff. I never really paid much attention to him but I recently bought his newest album "Undisputed Truth". I was testing Whatcha Got while driving the other day and really caught the anger and intensity the Albino Muslim rapper from Minneapolis delivers his rhymes with. The beat is rabid and violent to match the fervor the song is delivered with.
And I've never heard the word muthaphucka used so emphatically, so many times.
btw, he is really albino (he's blind) and really a muslim. but one of the greatest rap lyricists of our time
And I've never heard the word muthaphucka used so emphatically, so many times.
btw, he is really albino (he's blind) and really a muslim. but one of the greatest rap lyricists of our time
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Smiley Face
In case you haven't yet, rent the movie Smiley Face. It stars Anna Farris and includes cameos from Brian Posehn, that lady from 4o Year old Virgin, Adam Brody, and Danny Masterson. Farris plays Jane F. a lazy pothead slacker who has to make various appointments in ridiculous fashion all day long after unwittingly eating a huge batch of weed cupcakes. I didn't think Anna Farris could pull off such a perfect stoner character but the added depth of Jane's obvious intelligence and the way she acts EXACTLY like one would while that baked really show off just how awesome she is. This is my favorite clip from the movie (But I laughed uncontrollably throughout the movie, for some reason....)
"Man, that cat really loved lasagna."
"Man, that cat really loved lasagna."
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Sky Cam
I don't know if too many people would recognize the term "sky cam" when they heard it but to me it's the best thing to happen to football since HD. It is a camera run on wires with electric motors inside that make it zip around the stadium about 30ft (or more, I dunno) above the field and give you the view of a player, just higher. Being a former football player, I love being able to see the whole offense/defense in as close a natural POV as possible. Skycam is the only thing that can get that close. Here is a picture of the camera/shot:
This is a great view to watch from but unfortunately because of passes and field of view limitations, they usually switch to convential side cameras seconds after the snap. Luckily we still get to see skycam replays a lot, especially punts. Hopefully they start using a wider view version or shot to show more of the game in.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Killing our society
The Hills, MTV, VH1, reality television, model shows, celebrity gossip, Uggs, fake tanning, bad driving, mainstream radio, rap music, and Akon are killing our society.
You know what's creepy?
...Gerbers Baby Life Insurance commercials. The most depressing commercial you've never really paid attention to.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
The perfect song
Have you ever been connected or moved by a song so much that you felt it was the perfect song for that moment of that day? For me it happens often when I'm driving, playing music that was written for the crescendos of the hilly roads on the way home. The first time it was Ted Nugent's version of Stranglehold from the Double Live Gonzo album.
Songs that fit a sunny afternoon with nothing to do, connected to whatever roads you might turn down like the intense Digital by Slightly Stoopid.
The other day I was testing out some new trip-hop-esque jams from the odd yet strangely creative group cLOUDDEAD and stumbled upon a song that fit the sweeping curves and high speed limits with absent foot traffic. Although incredibly cryptic (or random), Rifle Eyes is hypnotic and trance-like.
Sometimes its just the right song to fall asleep to, a song that was probably written about you and your troubles. When any songs lyrics start to bend so it would fit your mold. A lot of times its a song you've heard before or even memorized, but this time it hits you just like the artist meant it to and just like you've never realized it could.
Songs that fit a sunny afternoon with nothing to do, connected to whatever roads you might turn down like the intense Digital by Slightly Stoopid.
The other day I was testing out some new trip-hop-esque jams from the odd yet strangely creative group cLOUDDEAD and stumbled upon a song that fit the sweeping curves and high speed limits with absent foot traffic. Although incredibly cryptic (or random), Rifle Eyes is hypnotic and trance-like.
Sometimes its just the right song to fall asleep to, a song that was probably written about you and your troubles. When any songs lyrics start to bend so it would fit your mold. A lot of times its a song you've heard before or even memorized, but this time it hits you just like the artist meant it to and just like you've never realized it could.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Best Zombie Movies (according to me)
Since I couldn't possibly put these into a realistic top-6 list, I'll just list the 6 I enjoy the most in no particular order other than the order I remembered them. These are must watches for everyone that is even vaguely interested in zombies or horror movies.
1. Dawn of the Dead (2004 remake)
The remake of the Romero classic is both scary and adequately true to its original namesake. The zombies in this movie are among the most terrifying of the genre. Like the 28 Days/Weeks movies, these zombies are fast, they are mean, and they are fairly intelligent. Although there is something to say about the suspense of slow zombies, fast zombies are scary on a whole new level. With Ving Rhames and Mekhi Pfifer being the only notable (to me) names in this film, it still has twice as many famous actors as many zombie movies. Add great gore, a tricked out armored zombie horde killing ambulance, and a zombie birth and the classic mall vs. zombie setting can't be beat.
2. Night of the Living Dead
Both the original from 1968 as well as the remake from 1990 (which
follows the original VERY tightly) are classics. If the first thing you picture when thinking of zombie survival is barricading yourself in a remote farm house in Pennsylvania, this movie is why. The aspect of boarding up a normal house to fend off waves of zombies makes it much more real and imaginable. As with many zombie movies NOTLD takes time to explore human morality and interaction during the stresses of zombie attack and the ironic ending outlines the necessity of teamwork.
3. 28 Days/Weeks Later
As I mentioned before, fast zombies are inherently scarier at a visceral level. Although the "28" series zombies may not be literal zombies because they are neither dead nor reanimated but simply infected with a "rage virus", they are still zombie-tastic and follow most of the basic zombie guidelines. With 28 Days Later, the beginning is really the best part. Waking in a post-infestation world that is devoid of survivors and having to figure out what's going on is a terrifying twist and a great introduction to the setting of the movie. Not to mention the freedom of an empty London before Jim realizes its empty for a reason. In 28 Weeks Later the broader explanation of global infection handling and the importance of biohazard control in post-infestation Britain is always interesting. Both movies are very suspenseful and full of great zombie gore, especially if you're a fan of eye-gouging. Still, both movies are mentionable because of their settings and their ferocious zombies. Plus, two terrifying dark tunnel scenes between them....
4. Dead Alive
Peter Jacksons foray into zombie movies is the prime example of a zombie "comedy". EXTREMELY gory, probably the goriest movie let alone zombie movie I have ever seen. We're talking rib cages being excised, baby zombies in blenders, zombie intestine chase scenes, and a climactic lawn-mower wielding ending. A great mix of vaudeville and the living dead with a healthy dose (buckets and buckets) of blood and guts splashing around the screen. Not very traditional zombies but interesting nonetheless, particularly the zombie boss battle between protagonist and his mother at the end of the movie.
5. Shaun Of the Dead
Half zombie movie half comedy, but not necessarily a zombie comedy, this feels like what would happen if me and my friends were personally put into the middle of a zombie outbreak. These zombies are slow, weak, and stupid, but still scary. They are easily dispatched with a cricket bat or blows to the head which is fortunate because the movie follows a fairly unskilled and inexperienced group of survivors.
6. I am Legend
The most recent, and perhaps only, zombie blockbuster is bound to be a classic. Similar to the opening of 28 Days Later, Will Smith is the sole
survivor in post-infection New York City which has gone feral. The zombies are mutated humans afflicted by a cancer vaccine and are allergic to light for some reason. While this makes them more like vampires, they are zombie like in other aspects and are super strong, fast, and intelligent. Legend explores the toll being alone would take on survivors that are barricaded by themselves.
Now I know I neglected to mention any of the Return of the Living Dead series but as far as a basic zombie viewing goes, they are extracurricular. I also didn't choose any Leo Fulci zombie movies although they are certainly noteworthy, because their age and similarity to a foreign film make them uninteresting to newer zombie fans.
1. Dawn of the Dead (2004 remake)
The remake of the Romero classic is both scary and adequately true to its original namesake. The zombies in this movie are among the most terrifying of the genre. Like the 28 Days/Weeks movies, these zombies are fast, they are mean, and they are fairly intelligent. Although there is something to say about the suspense of slow zombies, fast zombies are scary on a whole new level. With Ving Rhames and Mekhi Pfifer being the only notable (to me) names in this film, it still has twice as many famous actors as many zombie movies. Add great gore, a tricked out armored zombie horde killing ambulance, and a zombie birth and the classic mall vs. zombie setting can't be beat.
2. Night of the Living Dead
Both the original from 1968 as well as the remake from 1990 (which
follows the original VERY tightly) are classics. If the first thing you picture when thinking of zombie survival is barricading yourself in a remote farm house in Pennsylvania, this movie is why. The aspect of boarding up a normal house to fend off waves of zombies makes it much more real and imaginable. As with many zombie movies NOTLD takes time to explore human morality and interaction during the stresses of zombie attack and the ironic ending outlines the necessity of teamwork.3. 28 Days/Weeks Later
As I mentioned before, fast zombies are inherently scarier at a visceral level. Although the "28" series zombies may not be literal zombies because they are neither dead nor reanimated but simply infected with a "rage virus", they are still zombie-tastic and follow most of the basic zombie guidelines. With 28 Days Later, the beginning is really the best part. Waking in a post-infestation world that is devoid of survivors and having to figure out what's going on is a terrifying twist and a great introduction to the setting of the movie. Not to mention the freedom of an empty London before Jim realizes its empty for a reason. In 28 Weeks Later the broader explanation of global infection handling and the importance of biohazard control in post-infestation Britain is always interesting. Both movies are very suspenseful and full of great zombie gore, especially if you're a fan of eye-gouging. Still, both movies are mentionable because of their settings and their ferocious zombies. Plus, two terrifying dark tunnel scenes between them....
4. Dead Alive
Peter Jacksons foray into zombie movies is the prime example of a zombie "comedy". EXTREMELY gory, probably the goriest movie let alone zombie movie I have ever seen. We're talking rib cages being excised, baby zombies in blenders, zombie intestine chase scenes, and a climactic lawn-mower wielding ending. A great mix of vaudeville and the living dead with a healthy dose (buckets and buckets) of blood and guts splashing around the screen. Not very traditional zombies but interesting nonetheless, particularly the zombie boss battle between protagonist and his mother at the end of the movie.
5. Shaun Of the Dead
Half zombie movie half comedy, but not necessarily a zombie comedy, this feels like what would happen if me and my friends were personally put into the middle of a zombie outbreak. These zombies are slow, weak, and stupid, but still scary. They are easily dispatched with a cricket bat or blows to the head which is fortunate because the movie follows a fairly unskilled and inexperienced group of survivors.
6. I am Legend
The most recent, and perhaps only, zombie blockbuster is bound to be a classic. Similar to the opening of 28 Days Later, Will Smith is the sole
survivor in post-infection New York City which has gone feral. The zombies are mutated humans afflicted by a cancer vaccine and are allergic to light for some reason. While this makes them more like vampires, they are zombie like in other aspects and are super strong, fast, and intelligent. Legend explores the toll being alone would take on survivors that are barricaded by themselves.Now I know I neglected to mention any of the Return of the Living Dead series but as far as a basic zombie viewing goes, they are extracurricular. I also didn't choose any Leo Fulci zombie movies although they are certainly noteworthy, because their age and similarity to a foreign film make them uninteresting to newer zombie fans.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
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