Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from February, 2008

Can someone please tell him to SHUT THE F UP?

Jesus, Nader's at it again: Nader Enters Presidential Race Swinging What an arrogant ass. But at least we've got these comforting thoughts from Mr. Nader: …he said there's no chance that his entry into the race will tip the election to John McCain. He said Americans won't vote for a "pro-war" McCain. And he told NBC that if the Democrats can't win in a landslide this year, they should "wrap up, close down, emerge in a different form." I'm so relieved now to know that there's no way the country's going to lose it's collective mind again (or the Republicans find another way to steal an election, depending on your level of mistrust/paranoia). Ralph's just come along to be the voice of reason for the common man. Frankly, while I might agree with some of the notions he puts forth (corporate lobbyists have too much power in Washington, for instance), I'm not at all convinced that this pain in the ass is the guy to do anything ab

MSN 'In The House'?

MSN has a new radio ad campaign. It's fascinating in its complete lack of anything resembling cool and its blatant attempt (and one presumes failure) to connect with it's target demographic. All it takes to sum it up is two words: MSN Raps . Seriously… someone thought that doing a hip-hop ad for MSN's investment strategies was a good idea? It's not bad enough that it's painfully bad rap, but I swear they've bought a 60 second spot to showcase the travesty. It may only be 30 seconds, but it feels like forever. Somewhere in Redmond (or wherever the decision makers for MSN reside) there's an ad exec, grinning ear to ear over the thought of this ad campaign. It's almost sad to think that.  

Cloverfield's excellent conceit

Much has been made of the nausea-inducing handheld camera work in the monsters-invading-New York movie Cloverfield . Reviews recommending that you sit towards the back of the theater, especially if you're susceptible to motion sickness, movie theaters posting signs, recommending the same… and a huge second week drop-off in ticket sales that, one assumes, has more to do with the nausea factor than any bad word of mouth. Because, say what you will about the movie's overwhelming conceit , you can't say it's not an effective one. (See meanings 3a and b — you're choice as to whether it's fanciful or strained in this case will, most likely, stem from your actual appreciation of said conceit.) I, generally, don't care much for hand held camera work (as I've stated, more than once ). But I not only didn't mind it this time, I found it incredibly effective and a great storytelling tool. This time around, the camera work is more in the style of Blair Witch Pr