Monthly Archives: May 2016
May the 13th (Not) Be With You
If you see a black cat, walk under a ladder and step on a crack that breaks your mother’s back today, then you’ll have to live (ironic, I know) with the fact that, unlike everybody else, you will immediately stop feeling the feeling! of Justin Timberlake’s infectiously fun new single.
Friday the 13th is not to be trifled with.
In some capacity or another, we all have superstitions. Whether deeply personal or in-line with the strange events of a particular day of the month on a particular day of the week, there are forces in our world that cannot be explained. Call it what you will, but there are many questions that will never find an answer.
But why is Friday the 13th so spooky as to put us on edge every year?
Glad you asked. Time for a history lesson (of sorts).
Friday the 13th does have an instinctive creepiness and uneasiness about it. Regardless of when this day falls each year (and sometimes multiple times per calendar year), it reminds us that we’re not totally in control of our surroundings. If something spine-chilling happens on this day, like a black cat interrupting your morning run causing you to step on a crack that breaks your mother’s back and then, disoriented, smash into and break a store front window, the only two reactions can be coincidence or fate.
Not only will your answer to this question reveal your true thoughts on Friday the 13th, but it will also provide a not-so-small hint about how you view life in the grand scheme of things.
Eerie, I know.
See Something, Play Something
Steven Spielberg, even with all of his professional accolades and admiration from fans, may never fully know the irreplaceable impact he’s had on entire generations of moviegoers, dreamers and the culture in which we live everyday.
“I don’t dream at night, I dream at day, I dream all day; I’m dreaming for living.”
–Steven Spielberg
And we’re eternally thankful that he does.
As a matter of fact, there are a couple of childhood buddies who didn’t simply watch and enjoy Raiders of the Lost Ark when it hit theaters in 1981. They took their fandom to the next level. Ironically, by next level, that was technically intended to be the same level as Mr. Spielberg.
Confused?
This will help.
Watch the trailer once, twice, three times and remember the shared feelings you had with Chris Strompolos and Eric Zala (the cast) when you first saw Raiders of the Lost Ark. This homemade adventure of a lifetime by two young Spielbergians is one of the primary justifications for Throwback Thursday. Mr. Spielberg, by dreaming big with daring stunts, thereby encouraged and gave permission for all of us to dream big with daring stunts of our own. Raiders and his long list of pop culture-defining films forever changed the way we watch movies, as well as changing the trajectory for what we expect from movies.
If the above trailer/epic journey proves anything, it’s that Steven Spielberg’s cinematic revolution and trademark story arcs will never be lost.
Whassup America
#America.
Budweiser, in yet another savvy marketing move, will boldly promote patriotism on its label for beer drinking from sea to shining sea.
People drink beer when they’re happy and people drink beer when they’re sad. It’s a fairly simple product with a genius and timeless business plan. Few companies take advantage of and elevate within the alcoholic industry as well as Budweiser, as evidenced above and in their unforgettable commercials. And this year, Americans will be able to joyfully drink America when cheering on Team USA at the summer Olympics in Brazil. Conversely, Americans will be able to drink America (and their sadness away) during the presidential election.
Once again, Budweiser is not only aiming to be the most favored beer brand in the country, but it’s striving to be synonymous with the United States of America and its ideals. The people, brands, industries, products, places, events, etc. that embody this nation’s unique character have a proven track record of success. In an election cycle with so much cynicism and dissatisfaction from all sides of the spectrum pining for vision and leadership, at least Americans (21 and older) can toast and drink to something indisputably incredible:
America.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 