Toy Story vs. Dark Knight

October 9th, 2008 by david lay

So, I’m not usually a big fan of these sort of “mash-up” trailers that fuse different movie trailers together (though Brokeback to the Future is good). But this one is pretty awesome, the sound clips and animation mesh really well together the popularity of the two movie franchises makes it relevant as well as funny.

The only thing that I would critique is (and this is the movie-snob coming out in me) that some of the cut scenes come from the first Toy Story movie and not the second. But that’s a dumb thing to point out.

Check it.

Posted in Yada Yada, Movies | 1 Comment

Rose Dawson V. Scarlett O’Hara

August 7th, 2008 by david lay

Should Inflation be a Factor in Determining Top Box Office Draws?

The biggest movie of the summer is The Dark Knight, no doubt about it. There’s no realistic chance for any other film to unseat the new Batman flick from being the box office champ. In fact, after its first 17 days, The Dark Knight was already the #8 film of all time in terms of box office draw. It is predicted to earn more than $500 Million and end up just behind Titanic as the highest grossing film of all time.

So, this got me thinking about some of the other films on the list, and how inflation has impacted them. Kirk and I were talking about how “unfair” it was that great films from yesteryear are eclipsed on the list not necessarily because of inferiority, but because of inflation.

Here are the top 15 highest-grossing films of all time.

1. Titanic
2. Star Wars
3. Shrek 2
4. E.T.
5. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
6. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
7. Spider-Man
8. The Dark Knight
9. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
10. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
11. Spider-Man 2
12. The Passion of the Christ
13. Jurassic Park
14. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
15. Finding Nemo

…and here is the top 15 list of highest grossing films of all time adjusted for inflation. Pretty different.

1. Gone With the Wind
2. Star Wars
3. The Sound of Music
4. E.T.
5. The Ten Commandments
6. Titanic
7. Jaws
8. Doctor Zhivago
9. The Jungle Book (1967)
10. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
11. Ben-Hur
12. 101 Dalmations (1961)
13. The Exorcist
14. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
15. Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi

What do you think? Is it fair and proper to compare a movie with .25 cent ticket prices to a modern era film at $10 a ticket? Which list do you think best represents the greatness of American cinema and the people’s voice regarding the greatest movies of all time? Or, does box office draw mean nothing in terms of how the movie will be remembered to future generations?

Posted in Yada Yada, Movies | 4 Comments

This Post May Offend You…

July 30th, 2008 by david lay

…if it does, I don’t care.

I work for an online advertising company, and I am all for creative advertising as I know how difficult it can be to brand a business, gain an audience, and then maintain that branding over time. But it seems that we now live in a day and age where creativity and humor are being a stifled by a very small group of people who seemingly look for reasons to be “offended”.

I think that being offended is the biggest crock in history. I know that there are often times that people may say or do things that may make other people uncomfortable for various reasons, but I think people use “being offended” as a way to direct attention towards themselves and towards issues that they think are politically correct. It makes them feel better about their bleeding hearts and look better to others.

There is a place in our society for some level of political correctness, but the ridiculously extreme pc movement is so out of hand now that it makes me laugh - which is probably not the politically correct thing for me to do.

A recent Ad Age article explores a couple of the most recent Television Ads that were complained about enough for their companies (Verizon and Mars Candy, respectively) take them off the air. When I first watched them, I knew there were considered offensive, but I couldn’t figure out why. I guess I just don’t have the discernment of some people.

Watch them and judge for yourself:

This one is not really that funny, but otherwise I get the point and I am baffled that people are offended by its portrayal of Pittbulls as vicious. They’re guard dogs, people. They’re supposed to attack intruders!

This next one actually is very funny! I am a sucker for anything with Mr. T in it and I had seen this one before but was by no means offended. Let me know what you think.

Stu the Wise sent me this article, again from Ad Age, that outlines a few more complaints that people have had in the past about offensive ads. I highly suggest you read it - it’s some of the most hilariously ludicrous material I’ve read in a while.

Posted in Television, Yada Yada | 7 Comments

Eddie Murphy Calling it Quits (Sort of)

July 1st, 2008 by david lay

In the “wow, I didn’t see that coming, though maybe I should have” department, we get word today that Eddie Murphy has made his last film and now plans to retire from Hollywood and go back to the stage and continue his career as a standup comedian.

“I have close to 50 movies and it’s like, why am I in the movies?” he said, “I’ve done that part now. I’ll go back to the stage.”

Murphy who is now 47 said that there is indeed a Beverly Hills Cop 4 picture in the works, but he has opted out of it because it “wasn’t ready to be done.”

I found my jaw dropping this morning when I read that Eddie was retiring from film because after films like Pluto Nash, Norbit, and Daddy Day Care, I figured that he obviously didn’t care if his films sucked.

But then again, after Pluto Nash, Norbit, and Daddy Day Care, it’s pretty hard to deny that your films suck and maybe you should go back to doing what made you popular. Maybe after a couple trips back around the comedy circuit, he’ll be fresh enough again to get back into the motion picture business - but let’s not count on that.

I really think this is a great decision by Eddie, and an opportunity to regain his popularity and to return to the headlines, instead of the punch lines.

Posted in Tribute, Yada Yada, Movies | No Comments

George Carlin 1937-2008

June 23rd, 2008 by david lay

You made a lot of people laugh, and we thank you for that. Rest in peace you foul, filthy, sonofab**ch!

Posted in Tribute, Television, Yada Yada, Movies | 1 Comment

AFI’s 10 Top 10

June 18th, 2008 by david lay

Every June since 1997, the American Film Institute releases a new list of films in its 100 Years… series - celebrating 100 years of American films. I set a goal a few years ago to watch all of the movies in the series, but I didn’t complete that mission. When the “updated” list came out in 2007, I rededicated myself to watching them all, and I’m proud to say that I accomplished that goal within the last six months.

I have found so many great movies through AFI and their efforts to preserve and promote American films, though in all honesty, I have found a handful of stinkers as well. The good has FAR exceeded the bad, however and I am so grateful that I undertook the challenge - there’s a reason that these movies are so well respected!

Today, AFI announced a new list - the 12th in the series, AFI’s 10 Top 10. I have actually said before that I think they should do this - breaking down a “top 100″ into smaller genres and ranking them against similar films.

So, here is the list - AFI’s 10 Top 10 (with a few comments):

Animation

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - First Feature-length animated film - still great!
2. Pinocchio
3. Bambi
4. The Lion King
5. Fantasia
6. Toy Story - Groundbreaking - I remember the first time I heard “computer animated”
7. Beauty and the Beast
8. Shrek
9. Cinderella
10. Finding Nemo

Romantic Comedies

1. City Lights - One of my new favorite films - I LOVED it!!!
2. Annie Hall - I used to think Woody Allen was overrated - then I watched Annie Hall.
3. It Happened One Night
4. Roman Holiday
5. Philadelphia Story
6. When Harry Met Sally
7. Adam’s Rib
8. Moonstruck
9. Harold and Maude - This is one of those movies I’ve always said I wanted to see… Haven’t yet.
10. Sleepless in Seattle

Western

1. The Searchers - Awesomeness
2. High Noon - One of THE best movies ever made! Most requested film by US Presidents.
3. Shane
4. Unforgiven
5. Red River
6. The Wild Bunch
7. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
8. McCabe and Mrs. Miller
9. Stagecoach
10. Cat Ballou

Sports

1. Raging Bull - Scorsese’s best film.
2. Rocky - Classic.
3. Pride of the Yankees
4. Hoosiers
5. Bull Durham - Starring Danny Gans!
6. The Hustler
7. Caddyshack
8. Breaking Away
9. National Velvet
10. Jerry Maguire

Mystery

1. Vertigo - One of four Great Hitchcock films on this list - but where’s Psycho?
2. Chinatown
3. Rear Window
4. Laura
5. The Third Man
6. Maltese Falcon - FANTASTIC! Fell in love with this film noir while watching the top 100.
7. North by Northwest
8. Blue Velvet
9. Dial “M” for Murder
10. The Usual Suspects

Fantasy

1. Wizard of Oz
2. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - This film represents the entire trilogy…
3. It’s a Wonderful Life - They begin to stretch the “Fantasy” moniker at this point, but I get it…
4. King Kong
5. Miracle on 34th Street
6. Field of Dreams
7. Harvey
8. Groundhog Day
9. The Thief of Bagdad
10. Big

Science Fiction

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey
2. Star Wars: A New Hope
3. ET: The Extra Terrestrial
4. Clockwork Orange
5. The Day the Earth Stood Still
6. Blade Runner - I think this film is good, but very overrated.
7. Alien
8. Terminator 2: Judgment Day
9. Invasion of the Body Snatchers
10. Back to the Future - Awesome!!! So glad this is on the list!

Gangster

1. The Godfather - Love it! Definitely don’t think it insists upon itself.
2. Goodfellas
3. The Godfather Part II
4. White Heat
5. Bonnie and Clyde
6. Scarface: The Shame of a Nation (Not the one with Al Pacino)
7. Pulp Fiction - Great Flick!
8. Public Enemy
9. Little Caesar
10. Scarface (The one with Al Pacino)

Courtroom Drama

1. To Kill a Mockingbird - Extremely powerful and emotional
2. 12 Angry Men - Learned who Henry Fonda was the first time I saw this. Excellent.
3. Kramer Vs. Kramer
4. The Verdict
5. A Few Good Men
6. Witness for the Prosecution
7. Anatomy of a Murder
8. In Cold Blood
9. Cry in the Dark
10. Judgment at Nuremburg

Epics

1. Lawrence of Arabia - Beautiful landscapes and cinematography
2. Ben-Hur
3. Schindler’s List
4. Gone With the Wind - As good as they come.
5. Spartacus
6. Titanic
7. All Quiet on the Western Front
8. Saving Private Ryan
9. Reds
10. The Ten Commandments

My initial thoughts are that this a good list only a couple of obvious omissions (Psycho and Double Indemnity from the Mystery category, namely). I’m sure I’ll find some more down the road…

But overall, not bad?

Posted in Tribute, Yada Yada, Movies | No Comments

It Insists Upon Itself…

June 16th, 2008 by david lay

This is one of the cleverest, funniest pieces of Television writing. Just hilarious.

Posted in Tribute, Television, Yada Yada | 2 Comments

Random Trivia

June 11th, 2008 by david lay

I had a conversation with Stu today at work in which the following items came up…

Without giving away the answers who knows what either one (or both of them) are - specifically? I’m really curious how many people are as weird as me.

Posted in Yada Yada | 3 Comments

Retro Commercial of the Day - Hardee’s

June 5th, 2008 by david lay

I was randomly watching some old tv ads today when I came across this one. I did a double take when I realized who it was.

If you don’t watch Lost, you wont get it.

Posted in Television, Yada Yada | No Comments

Thrillionaires - Utah’s Improv Theater

May 13th, 2008 by david lay

For two years running, The Thrillioniaires have been making up Broadway-style musicals and improvising other film and theater styles for Utah audiences. Using only suggestions from the crowd, The Thrillionaires are the perfect union of theater and improv and are happy to have found a home at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo.

Previously, they have been privileged to perform with musician/actor Kirby Heyborne and British theater veteran Orlando Seale. They have shared the stage with noted and award-winning performers such as Jenny Frogley, William Joseph, Jericho Road, Alex Boye, Mindy Gledhill and George Dyer. Even LaVell Edwards, Stephen R. Covey, and Mayor Lewis Billings have been in attendance to enjoy The Thrillionaires‘ special brand of entertainment.

If you haven’t seen The Thrillionaires perform, you are missing one of the most unique experiences live theater has to offer. It might make you laugh, it might be heart-wrenching, or it might be both. But, whatever happens, it will definitely be an unforgettable experience! Don’t hesitate to reserve your tickets today.

Additionally, most Tuesday nights at 8:00 at Covey Arts Center offer Cheap Thrills: The Thrillionaires‘ experimental (but experienced) improv group. This is your chance to see our up-and-coming cast showcase their talent. Missing are the costumes, sets and other trappings of our full-scale Thrillionaires shows but there is an abundance of heart, talent and laughs. It’s a night of live, improvised contemporary theater at a special price.

For more information, visit CoveyCenter.org.

Posted in Utah Concerts, Yada Yada, Events | 2 Comments

Danny Gans - Entertainer of the Year

May 4th, 2008 by david lay

If you have been to Las Vegas in the past five or six years, and are observant at all, you are probably familiar with Danny Gans. Danny Gans took over for Sigfried and Roy at The Mirage after Roy Horn was attacked by the white tiger in October of 2003.

Gans is billed at The Mirage as “The Man of Many Voices” due to his Vegas show in which he mixes his knack for comedy and music to create a hilarious act as a musical impressionist. However, Gans did not begin his career as a singer or an aspiring entertainer.

Gans was a high school and college baseball star, being drafted by the Royals after high school and by the White Sox after college at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he became an All-American. He played for a while for the Durham Bulls and was even on screen as a third baseman during a brief scene in Kevin Costner’s 1988 film, Bull Durham.

A knee injury had ended Gans’ career as a baseball player, but like any true superstar, he picked himself up, dusted himself off, and started all over again. Gans began a 15 year tour throughout the U.S. working as an impressionist and motivational speaker . Soon he was one of the hottest and most sought-after performers in the corporate world, playing for thousands of people for McDonald’s and IBM and various other Fortune 500 company events. He began to catch the eye of fellow entertainers such as Bill Cosby and Natalie Cole, and soon he was a force to be reckoned with in the industry.

Danny Gans has been in Las Vegas now for 12 years and has headlined at The Mirage for nearly six of those. He has won numerous awards during his career and has certainly earned the status of “Entertainer of the Year”. Next time you are in Vegas, look for his billboards, and try to check out his show at The Mirage.

Additional Links:

Danny Gans at The Mirage.
Danny Gans Official Site.
Book Danny Gans as a Motivational Speaker.

Posted in Baseball, Tribute, Utah Concerts, Yada Yada, Sports, Movies, Events, Music | 1 Comment

Iron Man Trailer to Be Adapted into Feature

April 15th, 2008 by david lay

Here’s some rather polarizing news just released about the future of the wildly popular Iron Man trailer that we have all come to know and love over the past few weeks.

I warn you however, the news may be hard for some diehard fans of the trailer to swallow…

The Onion brings us more:

Posted in Yada Yada, Movies | 1 Comment

Disney Announces Four Years Worth of Movies

April 9th, 2008 by david lay

The world’s most popular production company, Disney, announced their slate of planned animated movies today. In all, they have announced 10 new animated pictures that will be released over the next four years. I thought some of them were pretty noteworthy, so I pass them along.

The next major release from Disney is the robot love story, Wall•E, which is set to release on June 28th of this year. I have seen preview after preview of this one and it really doesn’t appeal to me, nevertheless, your kids are gonna love it!

Next will be Bolt, the story of a dog (voiced by John Travolta) who thinks that he might have super powers (super Scientologist powers?). The biggest star in the world, Miley Cyrus is voicing Penny, Bolt’s owner. Bolt will be released in Digital 3D.

On May 29th, 2009 Disney will release Up, the story of a 78 year old adventurer and his eight year old sidekick. Up will also be released in Digital 3D. Sounds interesting… the idea is very unique, if nothing else.

Following Up, will be The Princess and the Frog - a traditionally animated (hand-drawn) fairy tale set in New Orleans which will be released around Christmas of 2009. I remember when they said that Home on the Range was the last of the traditionally animated Disney films — this was undoubtedly a gimmick to help increase its popularity. Glad they’re still at it.

Toy Story and Toy Story 2 will be rereleased in digital 3D on October 2, 2009 and Feb. 12, 2010, respectively after which, on June 18th, 2010, Toy Story 3 will make its long awaited arrival - also in Digital 3D. These are perhaps the most exciting to me as they mark the continuation of the original computer animated/Pixar technology that marked the biggest change in animated film since color. I am truly fascinated in cinema milestones, and Toy Story is up there with Snow White and even The Jazz Singer, when it comes to innovation.

Following Toy Story 3, will be the retelling of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Rapunzel. She will be letting down her long, golden hair around Christmas 2010. Rapunzel is bound to be a popular. It’s an age-old tale that will be gaining immortality by Disney. It will also be released in Digital 3D.

Newt will be the next up. Newt is due out in the summer of 2011 and will tell the story of the last two blue-footed newts on the planet that aims to show us all that “love is not necessarily a science”. Hmmm…

The Bear and the Bow, due out Christmas 2011, will tell the story a royal family in rugged and mythic land of Scotland. Reese Witherspoon, Billy Connolly, and Emma Thompson will provide voices for this action-adventure that will be in Digital 3D.

Cars 2 will bring back Lightning McQueen and his best pal Mater, as they bid to take on the fastest cars in the world. Cars 2, in (you guessed it) Digital 3D, will be released summer 2012. Of all the Disney movies in the last 10 years (post Toy Story), Cars was definitely my favorite. Here’s hoping for a good sequel!

Christmas of 2012 will bring us King of Elves, which interestingly, is based on a 1953 short story by Philip K. Dick. In addition to King of Elves, Dick wrote Blade Runner, A Scanner Darkly, and Minority Report - should make for an interesting adaptation.

It’s pretty cool of Disney to let us know their plans four years in advance… if not a little overwhelming. It definitely gives us something to constantly be looking forward to, though.

Here are some external links for your perusal:

Read the official press release from PRNewswire.

Check out the Wall•E Trailer at Apple.com.

View the Bolt movie poster from Empire Movies.

Posted in Yada Yada, Movies | No Comments

The McFly 2015 Project

April 8th, 2008 by david lay

This is Heavy, Doc

One of my favorite movies growing up (and still to this day) was Back to the Future. I think that the trilogy was, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining Hollywood phenomena to grace the 80’s.

So imagine my excitement when I found out that Nike may be considering releasing the McFly: those futuristic, self-buckling high tops worn by Marty McFly in the year 2015, a time when the Cubbies win the world series, Jaws 19 hits theaters, and cars can fly (funny how none of these things is likely to happen in the next 7 years - calm down Cubs fans, I’m sure this really IS your year).

The good folks at McFly2015.com are on our side, and have vowed to help Nike come to the decision to market these one-of-a-kind sneaks. According to their website, the McFly 2015 Project is:

…a grassroots movement to get Nike to make available to consumers the futuristic-looking sneakers seen in the 1989 movie Back to the Future Part 2.

While Nike has given no official work as of yet regarding the possible future of these shoes, but rest assured, Nike, they would be a hit!

Learn more about the McFly 2015 Project via their Myspace Page and visit their Official Site for more information, updates and, most importantly, to show your support for the McFly 2015 Project.

Thanks for your time… Now make like a tree - and get out of here!

Posted in Yada Yada, Movies | Comments Off

You Won’t Like Me When I’m Angry

March 12th, 2008 by david lay

Incredible Hulk Trailer is Here!

I know three posts in one day seems like an awful lot, but there’s one more big announcement that came today that I think most of you will enjoy.

Check out the first trailer from Ed Norton’s The Incredible Hulk

I think this one is going to be way better than the original. First of all, I really didn’t like the original at all and secondly, Ed Frackin’ Norton! I’ve been a huge fan of his for a long, long time. He’s sure to do a fine job.

The Incredible Hulk also stars Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, and William Hurt and is due in theaters on June 13th.

Thoughts?

Posted in Yada Yada, Movies | 1 Comment

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