2009 list - Top Videos of M V Consulting, Inc.

Throughout 2009 M V Consulting, Inc. (the parent company of Black Entertainment USA) has really delved into the video arena. We spent the year creating and improving our ability to provide quality videos, for commentary and entertainment value.

We appreciate all the views we have received, and will continue to bring you the best of what we can provide. And we did notice what you our readers and the public loved, and what was of less interest. So here are the top 5 videos of 2009 as determined by views by you:

The top of the list is definitely an entertainment value video.

T-Shirt Car Wash


Number 2 is on the other side of the spectrum. This was a video commentary on the first news event of the year, that the major media as ignored all year long.

Oscar Grant murdered by police - commentary by Michael Vass


The 3rd place video goes to another entertainment value video, part of a review of a bar. It seems, I'm guessing, that guys pushed this video higher than most of the rest.

Scoreboard Binghamton NY


Going in another direction again, the fourth place video of the year goes to a sports competition. Las Vegas was great and the competition was fierece. I look forward to going back.

Las Vegas APA pool tournament - round 2


And rounding out the top 5 videos is another sports related video. This is of course just the beginning of talk in the US about the World Cup in 2010.

2010 World Cup Groups - and England vs. USA


So as you can see from the collected videos out production values ahve increased substantially throughout the year. We will continue in that quest, and look forward to your comments and viewership in 2010.

Please do let us know what videos you enjoyed, and would like to see more of. Your feedback is always valued.

**As a bonus, here are a few of my favorite videos not created by M V Consulting, Inc.

Ataque de Pánico! (Panic Attack!) 2009


Franken Denies Lieberman an 'Additional Moment' to Continue Speaking on the Senate Floor


The Muppets: Bohemian Rhapsody


The Obama Stimulus: Predictions vs. Reality


Alchemy at World of Vass - yes I know it's another of mine. I just thought it came out really well for a commercial.

Captain America returns!

When I was growing up, there were a few things that you could always count on. Death, taxes, the fact that every President was a descendant of a European, the only time you would hear about Black history was in February – and that was mostly just Dr. Martin Luther King, Superman was the ultimate boy scout and Capitan America loved and defended our nation. But as I have grown some of these things have changed. Some for the better, some worse, and a few we are still wondering about.

Death though never changes, and it even hits fictional characters. First to Superman, and more recently to Captain America. In both cases there was an outrage among comic book fans. In fact some people were upset that had never read a single comic issue of either character.

Superman was of course brought back. The whole death was a big gimmick to stir up cash at DC Comics, and thoroughly confused fans with not one version of the boy scout but a half-dozen or so. This has eventually been straightened out. But it must have inspired someone at Marvel.

In a move that I can only call idiocy, Captain America was killed. Not fighting for America, or defending our nation overseas. But by the cowardly bullet of a hidden lunatic. It was a chilling moment.

The fictional living embodiment of all the virtute and Freedoms that is America was struck down. In a post-9/11 world where sacrifices of Rights and lives are all too common, this one symbol of how the nation endures and overcomes every challenge was gone. It was a bleak message reflecting, as comic books often do, the strife and turmoil within our society. In my view too bleak.



But 2 years after the fact, Marvel Comics has re-thought its actions. Either that, or they are preparing for another movie converting Captain America from ink to flesh and bone. (In fact movies starring and featuring Capitan America are planned in the next 3 years) Thus the word is out that Captain America will be back. Yes, on July 1st of 2009, the living American ideal will enrich the pages of comic books again, and thus the minds and hearts of us all – if just subliminally.

If this turns out to just be a marketing gimmick, Marvel will lose. Just as DC crushed its fanbase and had to resort to revisioning Batman (who is no longer around either) and Superman in film, Marvel will lose its fanbase. In fact I think that the films will not recover some of the older fans, or those they influence.

Because you cannot sell freedom, nor equate the Rights of the American people to dollars and cents. For all the negatives of international thought, and the dislike of capitalism, the differences of religion or the seemingly eternal issues with race relations, America is unified in our belief that we are a great nation. Great because of the ideals we live and, many, die by.

If this whole fiasco has been designed with a thought of evaluating what is America today, of what are the true strengths of the nation, then this was a great plan. If the re-born Capitan America is redoubled in his belief in our nation and what it stands for, and thus imparts that message to our youth, then it was time well spent. If this iconic symbol of America, that men and women of all ages and backgrounds know of, is the rebirth of true heroes and the best of America – Marvel will have earned every dollar that this can bring them.

But if this is just about money, if it lowers the ideals of the nation, if it cheapens what it means to be American, I will be more angry and insulted than when they killed Captain America. Some things are worth more than money. Some things have a far greater impact than just the form and style they are thought to convey. To me, it would be the equivalent of burning the flag in Congress.

If this sounds too harsh, too serious a discussion because it’s just a comic book character remember one thing. His name is Captain America, not joe blow superhero. In ways that affect us like our other national symbols, he is more than just a comic book character. He is grander, like our nation. To sully that is to sully us all.

Oscar Grant murder - commentary by Michael Vass

I have listened to the news today and so far I have yet to hear of news about Oscar Grant. I have heard about Adam Herrman who has been missing for 10 years, the UN discussing Israel and Gaza, and Obama having lunch with all the living former Presidents. I have heard that the best way to lose weight is to eat less, and that Senator Harry Reid is backing down and accepting the appointment of Roland Burris. I even saw a bit on the fidelity of Brad Pitt.

I still have yet to hear about Oscar Grant. Which has my anger boiling, and reminds me why I made a video commentary last night. I went through a couple of versions before my emotions calmed a bit.

The news media is failing America. In not discussing the why of what happened we are failed. In not discussing the cold-blooded act itself we are failed. And I for one will not stand for it.

Here are my thoughts.

The death of Captain America - 3.7.2007.1

I was going to speak on a couple of different topics today, but then I caught 2 different items that changed all that. The first I will address has to do with Marvel comic books, but is part of the common lexicon. As of today, Captian America is dead. Yes, he was assassinated.

Some may say so what, a lot of others will be shocked. The repercussions of this are deeper than either reaction I think. For those who have no idea what I am talking about, Captain America is a character in comic books that originates back in 1941. The character was a representation of what America needed to do about WWII and other national issues after that time. He is the representation of all the ideas and virtues of the nation, without the boy scout attitude of Superman [no offense intended to Boy Scouts – like my best friend – and if you have seen Kill Bill 2 you will see why I agree with the interpretation of Superman]. His reach has crossed not only this nation but 75 countries with over 210 million copies sold.

But Captain America is more that a drawing on a book. He is incorporated into the American psyche. Various real performers have adopted the name or have been referred to it because of their outstanding actions, from wrestling to football over decades. The character and its symbolism have been quoted in movies, books, and everyday life. In both a compliment or an insult, to be called ‘Captain America’ is to exude facets of American values and life.

The character has apparently died before, notably in the 1950’s for about a decade. But their has always been a return and in between other versions have taken his place. This is because, I feel, an image of the best in this nation is always required. Comic books are simply a soap opera in an alternate visual format. They touch upon the issues of the day and at the best moments provide social commentary. They can reach readers of all ages, with commentary that might not otherwise be discussed or accepted, promoting discussion and though. In the best moments.

Yet, at a time when America is becoming viciously divided over core issues, one of the enduring symbols of the nation has been written-off. I don’t understand. This was a great time to address the non-partisan commonalities of the nation. This symbol could help lead the way, or provide discussion point, for the youth that may be confused by the War in Iraq and vs. terrorism. Instead the character was abandoned.

Series writer Ed Brubaker said, "What I found is that all the really hard-core left-wing fans want Cap to be standing out on and giving speeches on the streetcorner against the Bush administration, and all the really right-wing [fans] all want him to be over in the streets of Baghdad, punching out Saddam.” That I feel is the perfect opportunity to allow the character to stand up and mention that neither view is absolutely right. That America is more than just one of those views and that both have degrees of merit. This was an opportunity for Marvel to shine, and America to reach millions around the world and evoke the fact that propaganda aside we are the greatest nation on earth because of the divergent views we hold and the overriding values we all believe in. But instead Mr. Brubaker and Marvel have shied away from what the character would have done, missing a moment to shine in the chaos that surrounds us.