Super Bowl Commercials of 2010

Well the Super Bowl is over and the Saints have their first win in team history. Great news if you are a Saints fan, but since I and most are not, no big deal. Which is what can be said of almost the entire game and oddly the commercials as well.

Normally every Super Bowl is accompanied by some of the most innovative and high-end commercials of the entire year. Considering the price tag of a 30-second spot, those companies that get a placement make the most of their time. Companies have had vast reversals of fortune based on just one Super Bowl ad. But the commercials of 2010 were about as compelling or interesting as the game itself. That's not a compliment.

Bud Light was probably the product with the best commercials. Of all the commercials the scientists celebrating the impending end of the world was the most upbeat and funny.



The Boost Moble ad may have been the worst of the bunch. The Bud Lite T-pain video was just dumb and an obvious rehash of "Whazzup".


Coca Cola had the decent Simpsons commercial, which was countered by the boring and dumb sleepwalking man in Africa commercial.

Denny's had 3 seperate commercials declaring that Tuesday a free meal can be had from 6AM until 2PM that seemed popular among those around me at the time. Of course the high emphasis on screaming chickens might have added to that opinion.

Perhaps the most perplexing commercial was the Dove for Men commercial. Who wrote that? Not one guy liked the commercial or found any reason to ever consider the product. It was rushed confused and completely missed the target audience. Someone is sure to have lost a job over that waste of $2.5 million.



I really liked the use of Ain't No Sunshine for the upcoming Dante's Inferno video game. A real good mix of music to the visual theme. And no doubt it caught the attention of all the games out there.



Taco Bell with Charles Barkley was just embarrassing.


The Vizio commercial with Beyonce just fell flat. There wasn't a single person that figured out what was going on. And several, once it was revealed what the commercial was about booed. Sales will not be up for them if that's a nationwide reaction.

The Sketchers ad, shown 2 times, was the most boring waste of $5 million I could imagine. I know the economy is bad, but seriously. Wrong target market, boring ad, for an overpriced product. Who greenlighted that idea?

But to end on another positive note, Snickers had the likely second best commercial of the whole Super Bowl. Watching Betty White and Abe Vigoda (who a friend remarked thought was dead) get tackled just looked wrong, and incredibly funny.



Given that 2009 was a horrendous economic year, and 2010 looks to be about the same. Even so, the performance of almost all the commercials was like JV leagues compared to the pro quality we have become accoustomed to. The Super Bowl may have been less than inspiring, but the commercials were far more disappointing than the interception of Manning in the 4th quarter.

Saints vs Colts at the Superbowl

This has been an aggravating day. The Jets lost, and then the massive upset with the Vikings losing as well.

Considering how the Jets played against the Chargers last week it is no major shock that they lost today. They played a poor game, and let the Colts control the tempo of the game. Much of the loss can be blamed on the inexperience of quarterback Sanchez (though the late hit he took in the second half that the refs ignored didn't help). Given the added experience of another season Sanchez will likely grow into a NFL quarterback of contention, but this was not his post-season. A shame though, since he looked ready to go all the way in the first half.

More upseting is the loss of the Vikings. Even with the 2 interceptions of Farve, the only conclusion has to be that the rest of the offense let him down. The flurry of fumbles cost the Vikings 3 chances to score and win the game. Not to mention several questionable penalties, and a couple that were just blatantly bad plays.

Farve took hits all game long. He was being hit like a ping pong ball. And the game surely would have been different if he was getting more protection. Still, you have to admire his resolve to stay in the game and keep going. His will and the defense made all the differnce.

But you just have to be pissed off when you consider that the Viking s controlled the ball over 35 minutes of the game before overtime. They cleared over 450 yards in over 75 plays and held the Saints for about 77 yards in the second half. To say the Vikings dominated the game in all but the score would be an understatement.

So looking forward what can we see?

The Colts will be the favorites. I'd say by 7 maybe 10 points. They are more experienced, have been in the big game before, and looked more in control than when compared to the Saints today. Given that this is the first time that the Saints have made it to the Super Bowl, and that alone is motivation to win.

While I will of course watch the game, I really could care less who wins. Neither the Saints nor Colts are teams I ever have cared about. They are not major teams that have hordes of fans, like say the Giants, Dallas, even Miami. But they are more followed than the Browns (outside of Cleveland), the Lions, or say the Jaguars. Still, I have no motivation to pick either for the win.

I imagine the Super Bowl this year will be a blowout game. Not quite as bad as the Bears vs the Patriots (a 46-10 rout that was just embarrassing to watch). But it won't be close either.

In a way it will be the perfect game to symbolize the year that has passed. Fewer Super Bowl commercials with less flair. Lesser teams that have smaller followings. A promise of a new chapter for one team, with a far more experienced team waiting for the chance to pounce. Plus fans that will watch just because they have no better option available.

Indeed, Super Bowl XLIV (44 if you don't recall Roman numerals) is exactly what 2009 was. At least this year we can look forward to the World Cup (though the US won't come close to winning that either).

2009 Super Bowl ads: Best, worst, and original

Like so many of us I too had a bit of a hangover after watching the Super Bowl yesterday. I honestly did not think that would happen as I had expected Pittsburg to win. By the end of the 1st quarter my expectation was that it would be a blowout game. The 100 yard run by James Harrison at the end of the first half locked that idea in my mind. [Unlike the voice in the video, I think Harrison did a phenomenal job.]

Up to the middle of the 4th quarter there was nothing to question a Steelers win. Then it got interesting. And then the drinks came.

Such was the experience that most of the people in the bar with me had as well. So I think we all can understand being a bit slower today than usual.

Still I think some of the commercials in the Super Bowl were the result of some people celebrating far too soon. Generally I would say that this year’s commercials were by and large uninspired. Either that or spending $3 million a spot left no money for the writers to think with.

Of course there were a few good ones. To me the best were the following:

Conan O’Brien was spot on here. Sarcasm, wit, self-depricating humor. This was the best to me.



Following closely was the competitive and way over the top commercial for Cash4Gold. Who knew that Ed McMahon and MC Hammer could be so funny?



Doritos makes the better half of these commercials only for the final seconds of the commercial, which had me laughing out loud.



Normally Budweiser is the king of Super Bowl ads. They tend to have some of the best ideas and most unique way of displaying that idea. This year Bud missed out on each try, except this one. Considering the cost I would have expected a bit more.



And another big winner was Bridgestone. They had the music, the feel, the idea of 4-wheeling on the moon, and getting your tires jacked. It just worked great.



E-Trade had commercials just not worth reliving. Pepsi bombed. And Godaddy was cute, but boring.

The worst may well have been the ‘revisioning of the classic Mean Joe Green Coke ad. It was horrible, and felt every bit the ripoff it was. Yet another reason I hate revisioined anything (which Hollywood seems to adore versus original thought these days).



Of course there is the new Transformers sequel movie trailer. It too looks as boring and uninspired as the original. Sure to make tons of money since as a friend says, “It has lots of explosions and big graphics. Who needs a plot.”



Under a similar theme is the trailer for Fast and Furious. Overall the trailer was ok, except for Michelle Rodriguez and Vin Diesel in the last seconds. That alone makes the movie seem interesting. But box office smash? I doubt it.



But the most original 2009 Super Bowl ad had to be the one from Careerbuilder.com. This was an original idea, got the message across, was entertaining, and funny.



So there you go. That’s how I rate the 2009 Super Bowl ads. What did you think?

Top 5 list of Super Bowl ads

Now I cannot have an entertainment blog, and not discuss the Super Bowl ads before the big game. It just can’t be done.

As the ads for the big game are getting finalized, cut back, or eliminated (like PETA's porn ad) – most due to the economic freefall – I wanted to look back and mention my 5 favorite all time Super Bowl ads. Some you will agree with, in fact I think everyone will agree that they are all top ads which is rare in any list ever made. You may not agree with the order I pick. But you are more than free to correct me if you wish.

Number 5

I hate, with extreme prejudice, Grand Theft Auto. But I have to say that Coca Cola did a great job to twisting the hyper-violent, stereotyped, insulting game into something everyone can watch and enjoy. Though I still prefer Pepsi to drink.



Number 4

There is no office more interesting to watch than the one with Terry Tate. The mix of the monotony of daily work and the excitement of football is something that was truly inspired genius.



Number 3

It was hard to decide if this should be higher or not. But I settled for 3. Michael Jordan, and the equally famous Larry Bird, doing what only they can do – sink a basket like almost no one else. It just wouldn’t work with anyone else. And you just have to wonder who missed first (my bet is Bird would miss first).



Number 2

Now this one may get me a lot of heat. It is the first Super Bowl ad that I can remember. It is classic in every aspect. It was the true usher of the Super Bowl ad competition we all enjoy today. It is famous across the world (and copied without pause as well). But I place it 2nd.



Number 1

It’s artsy. It’s got a message. It was groundbreaking. And it was used to crush a Democratic Primary hopeful (thankfully) some 24 years after it was made. What more does it take to reach the top?



Of course there is one other Super Bowl ad that I must mention. It is separate of all the other Super Bowl ads. Created by Budweiser, it displayed the heart of the nation. It must be mentioned in any list of greatest Super Bowl ads, and is separate of any ranking.



So there is my list of the top 5 greatest Super Bowl ads. Now if I were to make the list go to 10, what else should I add? And what order would you have chosen?

And maybe, we can hope, the economic breakdown inspired something that can make my list next year. But with these greats, it’s hard to imagine.

PETA promotes soft core porn?

Wow. The people at PETA are really something else.

Warning, the following video is highly suggestive and therefore may not be appropriate for anyone under 18.



Now here is the question. Is PETA promoting sex with vegetables?

That seems to be the only thing that this ad is promoting. Fetish sex. It does nothing to say that wearing a mink in Miami is wasteful or cruel. It does nothing to explain why pitbull fights are a horrendous act of depraved human beings.

Now I love animals as much as the average person. I can agree with a few of the things that PETA is against. But I am no fanatic. I love a good steak and cheeseburger. So PETA is targeting me in this ad that was rejected for the Super Bowl.

But beyond the suggestion that these women are using these vegetables as a means of self-gratification I don’t get the point. In fact the only thing that this commercial would make me wonder, besides what I have already stated, is where did the statistics on vegetarians come from? It’s not like I trust PETA enough to just take them at their word.

The only controversy in this television ad is what the woman is doing with the pumpkin, since the other women are very explicit in what they intend to do with their vegetables.

But PETA has me discussing this ad. So they are getting part of what they wanted. The problem is that I’m not discussing helping any animals. Nor am I thinking that being a vegetarian is of any more benefit than holding a carrot on a date.

They have failed their base, annoyed ultra-conservatives, titillated more than a few pre-teens, and exposed kids to a new fetish they probably didn't know of. And not one animal has benefited from the ad. At least they helped the women in the ad stay employed. That’s a positive.

Tiger Woods and GM, Citigroup and the Mets

Today all eyes are pointing towards Citigroup and what they have been doing, or failing to do. Thousands have lost their jobs, tens of billions of dollars are being poured into the company. And unlike AIG, Citigroup is not sending their employees to luxury spas for a breather. Nor are they giving up on celebrity endorsements like GM with Tiger Woods. No, they are putting their name on the Mets baseball stadium for $400 million of your tax dollars.

Wow.

I mean what else can be said here. Citigroup is going forward with putting their name on a stadium (a policy I dislike in all stadiums) with your money as 401k’s and taxes are used to fund it. No wonder they ran through the intial $25 billion the Government gave them. And Congress is asking AIG and the auto industry for reforms and guarantees. For over a year now, no one thought this expenditure was worth noting? Hey Barney Frank, you didn’t get a memo on this – Mr. Head of the Banking Committee.

I mean GM has bailed out of their deal with Tiger Woods. They bought themselves out of their deal a year early. I’m sure it cost them more than a bit to do so, but at least they did something to save a few bucks. And I’m sure Tiger was more than happy to let them do it.

Tiger Woods is too big a brand to be tied to the failure of the auto industry. The last thing he needs is the media tying him to a huge payout funded by an auto bailout. That would be bad for his image, bad for PGA golf, and America. Nobody wins in that scenario. And I doubt he is hurting for the money.

Of course GM is losing the worst. Tiger looks like a hero for saving the company money. He can easily say that he does not want to be paid at the price of workers jobs, or taxpayer debt increases. And that would be true. But GM looks like an idiot for not moving forward sooner. And losing Tiger, the Super Bowl ads, and who knows what other advertising means fewer cars sold.

But at least this looks a little bit better for them after their luxury corporate jet trip to ask Congress for billions of dollars.

Citigroup on the other hand could care less. At least that’s what it looks like. They are spending more useless money than Tiger’s endorsement (the full 5 year deal), buying a new corporate jet, all the Super Bowl ads, and the AIG spa trips put together and multiplied by 10. At the very least will shareholders get a discount to go to Mets’ games in 2009. Even 1 game in the baseball season? I doubt it.

The big question is will this reflect badly on the Mets. They are getting paid a stupid amount of money, as is New York City, to have the field given this dumb name. There are thousands of employees of Citigroup that work in the corporate headquarters in NYC. How will they feel watching the Mets play, knowing that the field’s name cost them their job. Or anyone who invested in Citigroup. They might have lost the ability to go to games, or even to live in their home, because of the stock devaluation due to the mismanagement and they have to watch this team play in a place that sucked their money away.

Mets fans always have had it rough, being in the same city as the Yankees. But this is a new thing that really doesn’t have anything to do with baseball, yet it may well have a massive impact on the game.

And if you are wondering why Citigroup didn’t do something back in January (at the latest) when they knew things were getting bad? Its because they were sure of one thing. They are too big to fail. They can waste money like a drunk pissing on the side of a building. It is wrong, but they don’t care. And the Government knows it.

But let me ask you which you think is worse. Is it worse to lose Tiger Woods’ endorsement, and ads during the Super Bowl and ask for money, or to spend money on the name of a baseball field and demand the public pay for it? Then let me know why you think Congress (especially Chris Dodd and Barney Frank) seems to think GM is the bigger bad guy.

Janet Jackson: Intelligence, success, and fame are not enough

Over the weekend I noticed something and I doubt many have spoken on it. Janet Jackson was in the news again about her Super Bowl costume issue. It seems that after years of comments and threats by the FCC, the whole thing is now passed over as if it never happened.

Isn’t that interesting. CBS will receive no fine

“This is an important win for the entire broadcasting industry because it recognizes that there are rare instances, particularly during live programming, when it may not be possible to block unfortunate fleeting material, despite best efforts," the CBS Network, which had the misfortune of unwittingly broadcasting the Super Bowl debacle, issued in a statement.”

Justin Timberlake, who committed the act of infamy, has walked away from this scandal without ever being touched by it. The fact that he may have caused the problem in the manner he removed the cloth was never his fault. His career, whatever you may think of it, has continued unabated.

But Janet Jackson has been mired with this scandal. She has effectively become blackballed by the media and entertainment industries. Did anyone notice that she had an album out recently? Now Janet Jackson has had so-so albums, and mega-hits, but in her entire career I have never known her to release an album and not hear any of the songs, nor see/read commentary about it. Her worst album (before the latest) sold more records than most entertainers on a good day.

The media just can’t let go of less than 15 seconds of footage. The mostly bare single breast of this Black woman is just that powerful I suppose. I have to imagine that were both breasts to have been bared, half the population of America would have died. I mean that’s the way the media and a few fringe fanatical groups seem to act.

But is that fair?

Hmmm, CBS promotes the UFC – which is a violent sport. Unlike boxing it has no elegance, it’s just about raw power. That has to be good for the kids. I'm sure the soap operas that were the staple of CBS and broadcast television, with more breasts and ass appearing than some soft-core porn, really has to be good for kids in the afternoon.

And the entertainment media loves women. I mean look at the attention poured all over Britney Spears as she has desperately tried to implode. She went to rehab for as long as it take me to piss, then cuts off her hair. Mega-news story. I’m sure it inspired many drug addicts, and more than a few young girls, to try a new fashion design. That’s positive.


There is the insanely untalented Paris Hilton. Bad porno tape, can’t act, can’t sing, can’t even open her glove box to see the letter telling her she can’t drive. But she is insanely rich. So rich that she almost pulled off a get out of jail card. If she has a positive to impart on the American public I am still unaware of it.


Anna Nicole Smith, drug addict (possibly while pregnant), promiscuous, arguably lecherous, with a sole talent being she had a great body. Months were devoted to her death at the near exclusion of all other news and facts at the time. Literally I do not recall another story that has been on the news that much – hours of news hours dedicated to a woman that was about as important as wet paper. Seriously, even Britney Spears has more talent. Message to kids – if you have the right curves you can get money and no one will care how many drugs you take. If you are a guy, either make a lot of money for this kind of girl to take, or be sleazy enough to leech money from her drug-addled ass.


Lindsey Lohan, the drunken party girl that was desperately trying to end her movie career. After years of building up a host of fans that were not old enough to appreciate talent, Lohan was more than happy to drink herself into oblivion. Her quick trips to rehab were only slightly longer than Spears, but thankfully she had her mom to lean on while she drank and did drugs.

Amy Winehouse, the reported crack addict with a voice. So deep into drugs and alcoholism that she couldn’t perform and has been arrested multiple times. And she doesn’t care what anyone thinks because she told us that. At least her man is just as deranged and besodden as her, so it’s a match set in love and not money.

I could go on, but what are the similarities of these women?

They are all White, they all are being promoted and covered by the media (thus making them all money), and they all have been filmed, photographed and discussed ad nausea since Janet Jackson was at the Super Bowl.

So was the outrage that Janet Jackson’s accidental exposure occurred, or was it something else. None of the women I mentioned have half her talent or longevity in entertainment. Janet is not on drugs, does not cover magazines drunk or in scandals (other than the one event). She has never been linked to anything negative that I can recall. And no one questions her ability to think and do business – she broke all records for an artist contract that even her brother did not match at one time.

In fact she should be a role model for young women, proving that women (especially Black women) beside Oprah and Maya Angelou can succeed on their own doing what they are best at. Yet she his blacklisted and blackout by the media in favor of women who are such messes I can’t imagine most of them surviving to be 35.

So what’s wrong with the major media? What’s going on in the entertainment industry? What the hell are Hollywood and music execs thinking?

I tell you what, if I had a daughter – or were it one of my nieces – and the worst moment in a career she made that garnered her tens of millions of dollars, fame, and comfort over decades was the momentary equivalent of her dress slipping I’d be happy for her. No drugs, no scandals, no court taking away her children because she is unfit as a mother, no drunken binges and car accidents that could kill innocents, no crimes, no whispers of anorexia, never selling her body for money.

Seriously ask yourself this question, which woman would you want your daughter, sister, niece, or mother to emulate? Then ask why being Black, successful, talented, and intelligent is worthy of a media excommunication?

The 2008 Super Bowl ads I liked - 2.4.2008.1

So here is my list of Super Bowl Ads. Mind you I’m still more than a bit hung over. Yet there were a couple of ads that stuck out.

Top of the list of the good,

The Sobe Water lizards – nice take on Michael Jackson’s Thriller



The Audi R8 – that’s a nice looking car. Nice homage to the Godfather too.



T-Mobile with Wade and Barkley – Be careful what you ask for



Of course worth mentioning

Any commercial that makes fun of France, small European cars and Napoleon all at once has to be noted.



Shaq is just having too much fun



And of course there is Bud



And that sucked?

Both of the ads from salesgenie.com There was just nothing about them that I liked.

Overall it was an ok Super Bowl for ads, but the game was great. The Giants Rule! So much for that preposterous 12 point spread.

New York Giants are going to the Super Bowl

Wow, what a close game. The New York Giants did it in overtime. After field goal kicker Tynes screwed up multiple attempts to win the game in regular time the playoff game went into overtime.

It was looking bad when Green Bay had the possession of the ball until Webster made a critical interception for the Giants. This lead to Tynes having another, and the longest, field goal attempt. 47 yards. The pit of my stomach felt empty considering his earlier attempts.

But he made the kick, with barely enough height to cross the bar. Now the Giants will be making it to the Super Bowl! I am pleased, especially with all those that thought they couldn’t do it.

Do I expect the Giants to win? Always. I can’t bet on their games because everyone knows I always bet for them. The Super Bowl will be no different.

So I congratulate the New York Giants on their win today, in the 3rd most cold football game on record.

Go Giants!

Feeling bad for Lindsey Lohan

**This can also be seen at All American Blog, where I am a contributing author.**

How much is 7 million dollars worth? For some it’s a lifetime of relaxing under a sun, a sign of corporate success, the advertising cost of a product line, 2 commercials during the Super Bowl, or a host of other things. And for at least one woman it was a waste of time.

There is a report out that states Lindsey Lohan has spent at least $7,000,000 solely on drugs, rehab and hotels. Oh, I nearly forgot the lawyers. They got a bit of that roll of bills too. The sum net gain for Lindsey Lohan after spending this relatively huge sum of money? A reputation in shreds, few job prospects, and the honor of being slightly more responsible than Britney Spears, but not quite as good as Paris Hilton. There is a dubious honor indeed.

Honestly, the money is not what gets me. Lot’s of people with wealth waste it on frivolous items. Whether its yet another world record yacht, a birthday party that spans 2 continents and includes dozens of wanna-be’s and associates, or platinum and diamonds adorned in the most illogical and unattractive places one could imagine that are legal to be shown. Far too many celebrities, entertainers and successful people run through cash almost as fast as a New York City broker drinks the morning coffee. The real shame is everything else.

This young woman has failed herself in the worst way possible. She has failed 2x this year in rehab. She has failed in obeying the law. She has failed to support her career. And at this pace she will inevitably fail to continue to live.

Will it make a difference in my life if Lohan dies? No. She wouldn’t even make it to a footnote in my mind of entertainers and celebrities that died far before they should have. But it will make a difference to millions of women. Because of the example she has set before them.

How many young actresses will not be able to get a job for fear of their melting down like Lohan, Spears and Hilton? How many young girls will believe that success demands the excesses these women have displayed? How many will believe that lack of discipline and drug use are acceptable?

Too long the media has enjoyed the tragic vortex that is these women’s lives. Too many have seen the adoration (as some might call it) that they have received. Too little has been done to say there won’t be more examples exactly like these in the near future.

What should have happened is that the Hollywood executives should have refused to employ Lohan without daily drug tests. That Spears should have been prevented from going on stage. That Hilton was thrown in jail a long time ago. But that didn’t happen. Nothing did, except that all those groups and many many other organizations made a lot of money displaying the downfall of these women.

You know, at one time pictures of a star without undergarments would have never been published. There is no benefit to the public for such photos. At one time older stars would have reprimanded the celebrities and set them straight. At one time companies would have fired the irresponsible for acts that are morally questionable. But that seems like a far off time indeed.

So what will happen to the next young star? What happens when one of these ladies, or some other famous figure in trouble is found dead of an overdose or some other act of idiocy? Will anything change?

I think one thing will. It will cost more money to get the same kind of exposure. And someone will come along and pay for it. $7 million (or any amount like it) just isn’t worth what it used to be, I think.

Prince, Anna Nicole Smith, Hannibal Lecter - 2.10.2007.1

This has been quite a week. I’ve been quite busy, and a touch ill, so I have a bit to catch up with. I will get to my thoughts on Anna Nicole Smith shortly. What was catching a lot of earlier in the week are the various television commercials for the Super Bowl. I’ve heard the Snickers ad has been removed from circulation. While many were creeped out by the ad, it seems the outcry from various groups about its anti-gay theme is what wound up being the final nail. I really don’t get where the humor was in the ad. I get where it’s supposed to be, but they really lost something in the translation from idea to commercial ad. Still they can’t be judged too harshly, at least they tried to do something new unlike Schick.

Of course television commercials were not the only thing criticized from this Super Bowl. It seems that now Prince’s half-time show is drawing fire. Truly I’m surprised and have to wonder who are these people seeking out these complaints. I really feel they are trying to find something to object to. The now infamous still image of Prince playing the guitar in silhouette seems to be driving some mad. Come on people, it wasn’t all that. At full speed it’s barely a standout image. I suppose though that if someone has sex or body parts on the mind they will pick up on these things quickly. In the same place where the Snickers ad caught and shocked every viewer no one noticed anything during Prince’s performance. Yet some, probably the same ones that are terrified of a bare bosom’s exposure for a few seconds, seem or disturbed by the half-time show than the commercial.

I have to wonder if those same people offended by Prince are offended when they park their car. It is a key-to-keyhole action. Male-fits-female, or did they not think of that in their constant search for sexuality in public. Perhaps they should start attacking bottle manufacturers, or zipper makers. I mean the vast number of actions and items that confer a phallic message in ordinary life are mind-boggling. That says nothing of the overt sexuality in most music videos, television shows and commercials, cartoons, and movies. Which isn’t too surprising considering Humans are not asexual, and procreation is one of the top 3 genetic imperatives (food, procreation, self-preservation). While I can understand to an extent the need to protect kids (blatant sexuality is unnecessary, incidental stuff is life) some people need to relax. And by the way, anyone playing a guitar is a sexual image (if you want to think of it that way) just by the nature of the shape and position of a guitar. Get off of Prince.

The new Hannibal movie is now out. I’m sure it will pull in a decent amount of cash. I doubt it will live up to the work of Sir Anthony Hopkins. Hannibal Lecter is more than a slasher killer with a large vocabulary. This character is motivated in much the same way a true killer is, which is something a ‘normal’ person will never fully get. To try to humanize this character lessens the impact he has. Epic characters can never be described in brief. Darth Vader’s backstory took 3 movies and that changed the whole meaning of the previous 3 films. A single movie motivated on capturing the violence and gore that teens enjoy en masse, especially when logic or thought are watered down to almost nil, can never capture the intensity this character needs to express his past. I can capture all this just from the televised scenes and a couple of reviews. The focus is not the mind of the killer, which is where the real shock is, but the gore of the actions (and a bad European accent). I’m skipping this movie, but tell me if you see it and I am wrong.

Now about Anna Nicole Smith. I am sorry that she has passed. It’s a shame when anyone dies so young. I feel very bad for her daughter, who will have to live with the various unresolved legal battles throughout her life. I have deep suspicion of Mr. Stern who I feel is not the father of the baby (nor the prince now claiming fatherhood), and impresses me as a male golddigger. Though I could be wrong on several points. But this is all in the public eye and thus I will comment.

Ms. Smith was a sexy woman, reminding us all that a woman with curves is more attractive than a size 0 model. I think that is part of what captured the publics attention. She was pretty, and shapely, and a touch naïve (or so she seemed) which made us all wish we could help her out. It’s a subtle desire to help those around us in need. And to an extent we all saw that, yet those closest to her seemed unable to get her the help she needed. From Playboy to Guess jeans, to movies (like Naked Gun 2) and television we all followed her. Some had envy, others admiration, but we all paid attention. Perhaps it’s not the best legacy, but it is her legacy. Hopefully her daughter will fare better.

I hope her daughter can be with her father, whoever that is. I hope her father is motivated by the love of his daughter and not her potential inheritance. I hope the daughter has something to inherit. I most deeply hope that her daughter will be able to grow into a strong woman that has overcome all these challenges.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Superbowl and super ads - 2.6.2007.1

Well Superbowl Sunday has come and passed and now there will be a dirth of interesting activity for some sports plans until August. Perhaps some will check out Mr. David Beckham when he plays for Los Angeles, perhaps the household chores that have built up over the season will finally start getting done. Either way the debate has ended. Snickers went mad, Mr. Carlos Mencia is funny and getting more popular, and Dorito’s has been paying too much to the wrong people to make their television ads.

I can’t leave out the fact that the Bears lost. I had no expectation of that. Given the weather and the Chigaco Bears historical ability to play in cold and bad weather, plus the defense, I was sure they would win. So much for that $20 bet. I was really surprised, as many I was watching the game with were, especially after the first quarter. I don’t think there has ever been such a high scoring first quarter. By the 8th minute of the game we thought it was just going to be a blow out. I have to give it to Mr. Peyton Manning and Mr. Tony Dungy, they really rallied and took back the momentum of the game.

Of course one of the other major events that happens simultaneously to the game are the commercials. There were some stand-outs, and more than a few that just shocked. There were also several disappointments. Schick, T-Mobile, Prudential and Snapple couldn’t even bother to give us a new television ad. I assume that T-Mobile wanted to recycle their Mr. Charles Barkley ad to highlight Black History Month, just as Coca Cola and Frito-Lay did. Of course all 3 ads were boring, forgettable and uninspired to me.

The shocks were more limited. If you haven’t seen the Snickers commercial by now you haven’t had the television on. I have to say that everyone who was watching the game stopped and gasped when that commercial aired. It just caught us all, and not in the comfortable fun kind of way. It’s the kind of humor that occurs when you see a guy kicked in the groin, when its setup and done right you can laugh and still get the discomfort it provides. When it doesn’t you are just unsettled. Everyone, including the women watching the game, were unsettled.

On the upside, one of my favored comedians, Mr. Carlos Mencia gained a lot of recognition and provided laughs for his 2 ads. The best of the 2 has probably happened to every guy at least once and we all wish we could have done what he did. It was classic. If you haven’t seen his comedy before, this is just a small tame taste of it.

Probably the best 2 ads were the Dorito’s ad made for $13 dollars [someone needs to hire the guy that created that] and the Bud Light ad with the axe-wielding, Bud Lite case carrying, hitchhiker. Hitchhikers can’t be that bad if they have Bud Light right? The next best I think is the take on Grand Theft Auto, ala Coca Cola. Very well done, and visually appealing.

Not much else to say about that really. If you missed the game, it was a good one. Pretty close til the end. If you missed the television commercials, I’ve found a site that not only has them all it also has commercials for the Superbowl going back to 2002.

This is what I think, what do you think?