While waiting for the movie to start, and drinking my large Cherry-Coke, I was reminded of an idea that Brian had awhile back. It's a brilliant one, and it came to my mind today while reading the vapid, banal blatherings up on the screen from half unknown celebrites in the "E!" series of quotes. Something from Carmen Electra along the lines of "Life's not worth living if there's not a camera around," or some such thing.
Brian's idea was to have McDonalds and other fast food places, instead of just having "YAY MCDONALDS" or whatever they put on their cups or other packaging, have historical facts, interesting educational stuff on their materials. It would be good PR for the companies, and good for the populace who might actually learn something, instead of either being unengaged with the items in their hands, or looking at the latest M logo on the cups. When the companies would do their promotions, sure, they could still make Darth Vader cups, or whatever they wanted, but at other times, they'd be educating the public. It would be cheap, and fun! They're already paying someone to design the logos on their packages, just have a historian or someone on staff also, to bring up interesting facts from the past.
I thought today that another interesting place to do this, with a captive audience, was in movie theaters. I don't truly care what Carmen Electra, Matt Damon, or others have to say about their fleeting fame, why not put some quotes from Jefferson, Washington, Martin Luther King, and others up there? Or, do "History of the Movies," with Charlie Chaplin, or even go back further, get quotes from Edwin Booth up there... Granted, no films were made in the 1800's, but he *was* an actor.
Rant mode off now...
But, one other quick thing. One of the ads before the movie was for a car repair place in Jersey City, and their tag line was "We take the Dents out of Accidents." Clever, and it got me thinking if "dents" is actually derived from "accidents." I'll have to look that up. An answer to this in a future blog.
As for the movie itself, I really enjoyed it. Will Ferrell was understated, which is when I think he's actually at his most funny. The story was fun, although parts did feel a bit underdeveloped, such as Ferrell's relationship with the female lead (Maggie Glynnenhall, or however it's spelled). It would have been nice to see Buster Bluth (Tony Hale) get more screen time too, but I was just happy to see him with two hands. Overall, a good solid recommendation from Sue and myself for the movie.
The idea of a fictional character realizing they're in a fiction isn't original to this movie. I think I first ran across it in novels by Robert Heinlein, specifically in "The Number of the Beast" and "The Cat Who Walks Through Walls." Any other examples out there that you, gentle readers, can think of?
On Friday night, I watched the new Battlestar Galactica. I enjoyed the episode, but thought that the resolution was a bit anti-climatic. However, in the big picture, I am wondering the following about the show:
- It seems like the Galactica, along with the Cylons, are really on the trail of Earth. I think at some point, they will find the lost 13th colony, but when in the show will it happen? Not this season, I predict. Probably not even in the 4th season, should one happen. Also, what era will they find Earth? There's no guarantee that they'll find it during our "present" history. It'd be fun if they stumble upon Earth, and we're still in medieval times, or something like that.
- Will the Cylons kill Baltar? So far, the show hasn't killed off any major characters (Billy doesn't count), so may the B-man be the first to go? I personally don't think so, he's too fun to be around...
- Will Sharon/Athena and Hilo conceive again? I don't see why not. Sooner or later, she'll have to find out that her baby is alive. What are the Cylons doing with the baby anyway?
I think that's all for now... Coming up soon, what is Mike reading?
NP: Genesis - Back In N.Y.C. (15 Apr 1975)
4 comments:
I really never thought I would enjoy a movie in which Will Ferrell was in almost every frame so much .. He is indeed wonderfully understated in this charmer, yet still manages to hold onto much of his comic timing
I will have to take a kid-break to go see this. And I had to mention that MY favorite understated (WAY understated) Will Ferrell performance was as Ted (the Man in the Yellow Hat) in Curious George. Very charming for a kids' movie, and one that I haven't "lost" because I freakin' hate it after 50 bazillion viewings.
I wonder what Zorknapp will decide Mike is reading...
I was very happy to see Byron Buster Bluth on a screen again, and "hey, brother," give it a week and you can see GOB in prison orange once more! Altho, I *am* concerned that when I see the ads for LET'S GO TO PRISON I'm having to tell myself that they're saving all the best parts for the movie...
Remember that ARRESTED bit with Buster's hook in the stair car that riffed on Tony's VW commercial appearance...? Found it! =)
I dig me some STRANGER. Will is so very good as the hapless.
* SPOILERy comments *
And love that the story/movie doesn't get mired in some kind of explanation, or even search for an explanation, of the real world character phenomenon, y'know? It just runs with it.
The IRS agent + baker relationship *is* a bit accelerated, but I certainly liked Harold Crick enough that I wanted it as much as he did, and bought it, y'know? Would've been interesting, maybe even fun, to have Hoffman's prof call Thompson's authoress out on how the most unbelievable part of the book was how the baker falls so quickly (relatively) for the tax man, maybe even have her defend it with some smart remark or three.
* END SPOILERy bits *
I marvel at how Maggie can be someone very different in all of her roles. Sure, that's the definition of acting, but you tell me how many popular film stars are actually doing something different from movie to movie, y'know?
Errr... geez... I forgot whose blog I was in, didn't I?
=)
(Sorry, went back and saw potential spoiler info that I hadn't labelled as such. I *try* not to drop non-trailered or -advertised info about movies without some warning.)
Also, I can't take all the credit/blame for the idea of edjimacating people with the promotional cups. I've thought the very same thing about the pre-movie countdown show of ads and celebrity trivia that seems to be monsterizing at the movies for the past few years. Anyhow, it came out of a discussion with my coworker Chris from way back in the Planet days...
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