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Happy Monday!
You just never know when that moment will arrive.
So many of the greatest things that happen to us occur when we don’t expect something great to happen to us. Case and point is Topher Grace and his story of how he landed the starring role in the acclaimed FOX sitcom That ’70s Show.
As Joe Dirt would say, “Life’s a Garden, Dig It!”
Have a Life-Altering Week!
“Coming Soon” Redefined
2015: Welcome back dinosaurs and the epic battle of good vs. evil.
Reflecting on last week’s treasure trove (however small) of movie trailers slated for mid-late 2015 release dates, it’s clear that audience engagement and connectivity is here to stay for the foreseeable future. Jurassic World and Stars Wars: The Force Awakens are already two of the must-see movies of next year. Not this year, but next year. In fact, the soonest one of the aforementioned films will be released is in seven months.
Why mention this marketing strategy now?
Because movie studios and directors are continuing to forge relationships with their fans during the speculation phase of their projects right through the development of the plot, filming in the various settings/locations and character leaks and special social media reveals several months and even a year before its theatrical premiere (ie – Interstellar’s first teaser was last November). And let’s not forget about the DC Comics Universe announcing that seemingly endless list of future superhero movies that give fans years upon years of movies to look forward to. Marvel also does its part as well in this department. This modern, evolving dynamic in the film industry is fascinating because it connects movie makers with its fans on a surprisingly constant basis. Some in Hollywood, understanding the incredible interest in amazingly sublime and complex stories with popular actors, actresses, writers, producers and directors, have created an investment in cinema.
Are the days of going to see a movie as a spontaneous weekend fling going away?
No. However, for the most ambitious and popular movies/stories (live action and animated), the trend is moving towards more involvement/persistent awareness between movie producer and fan. This can be viewed as good because the interest and connection is voluntary and exciting to its willing participants (sans spoilers). But this can also be viewed as bad because of intrigue fatigue. We live in a minute-to-minute and even second-to-second world. Few secrets are held for very long these days. Eventually, widespread speculation or new information will be released to the public. With that in mind, how many seconds and/or minutes are in seven months? One year?
While the movie going experience is becoming, well, more of an experience, it does work. Interstellar was undeniably worth the wait (I saw it twice in IMAX), as was The Dark Knight Rises and Man of Steel, serving as just a few examples. It’s likely that Jurassic World and Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be as well. It should be noted that the films that are promoted with such surreal longevity are films that reward its dedicated fans with an unforgettably rich movie experience.
In the age of information, driven through the lightning fast digital medium, the questions are whether this epic marketing strategy of teaser trailers and perfectly placed clues/special reveals can continue to sustain and produce epic results without the eventual exhaustion of an epic journey before making it the theater? Is too much being revealed in the trailers?
For now, I’m entranced by the new lightsaber, in awe and suspense of a genetically modified dinosaur (and story 22 years in the making) and delightfully eager to witness James Bond’s 24th cinematic adventure in a finely tailored suit.
2015 is setting up to be legen-wait for it…
They’d Be Dumb Not Two
Harry Dunne: I can’t believe we drove around all day and there’s not a single job in this town. There is nothing, nada, zip!
Lloyd Christmas: Yeah, unless you wanna work 40 hours a week!
There is a brilliance to the simplistic awareness of the 1994 cult classic Dumb and Dumber. In my opinion, Dumb and Dumber is the funniest movie ever made. To say, “I like it a lot!” with the necessary mouth play is an understatement. Twenty years have passed and I still quote random lines from this movie with pride and gusto in virtually any situation, just like many, many, many other fans from around every corner. Aside from the quintessential boy humor (sans profanity, FYI), there is a story about two lovable losers, whose intellectual ceiling is waist high, that are truly struggling to function within society. And this gets to the heart of the story, which is one of the paramount reasons why this comedy endures. Let’s not neglect the perfect casting, writing, settings and clothing as well.
The jokes are laugh-out-loud hilarious, not mean-spirited and are intended to bring out the goofiest parts of ourselves. They dance on the line of appropriate and inappropriate for a mass audience, but don’t cross it. And haven’t we all been in one of these situations (to some extent) at least once before?
Who hasn’t fallen off the jet way?
As shown by the scene below, Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne have been beaten down by their shortcomings and reveal an emotionally raw, dejected sadness about their plight. Again, we’ve all been there, whether it’s a relationship/series of failed relationships, a lost job or a wide-range of personal issues that can devastate a man or woman to his or her core. It hurts and it feels inevitable to continue. All that Lloyd and Harry have is themselves. But, what if there was just a sliver of hope in the form of a briefcase (what brand was it again?) that offered the tiniest glimmer of hope?
Friendship requires forgiveness and the opportunity to act foolishly. A lot of things in life demands seriousness and focus. Yes, absolutely. But, if these events are not complemented with instances of random silliness, then, well, that’s pretty dumb and boring. Sometimes, you’ve just gotta hop on the back of a hog and ride on the road of life to wherever it takes you. In all seriousness though, it should take you to Aspen. It’s “where the beer flows like wine.” Also, note the spectacular song (“Where I Find My Heaven” by Gigolo Aunts) in the clip.
Dumb and Dumber is a story about friendship, stupidity, heartache, love, delusion, hardships, personal happiness, physical comedy, innocence, amusement and, above all else, acting dumb…and then acting even dumber.
After decades of hesitation to make a sequel to such a fan favorite, many people have long assumed that a sequel with the original cast and crew would never happen. Too much time had passed. And now that it’s really happened, the most prominent questions being asked are:
Was it a good idea to make a sequel?
What effect(s) will the sequel have on the legacy of the original?
Will the sequel live up to the original in its fresh, unique comedic perfection?
If Dumb and Dumber To (which brings back the best comedy buddy duo of all-time in Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, as well as its directing duo of Bobby and Peter Farrelly) has incorporated the aforementioned elements of nostalgic boy humor, realities of life, quotable lines and an unforgettably inappropriate scene, then perhaps making this sequel to a beloved classic will prove to have been a smart move after all.
Dumb and Dumber To is now playing in movie theaters nationwide.
Oh, and I got worms.
Will Harry and Lloyd have worms?
Did Harry end up running a store specializing in worm farms?
I’d say the odds are like one in a million…just like the odds of a sequel finally being made.
The Game of Life
Spoiler Alert: The following contains content from the November 12, 2014 episode of The Goldbergs
As determined as a ‘hungry, hungry hippo’ and as energetic as a teenage girl hanging-out with her friends talking, Barry Goldberg’s mission towards gaming superiority still may be stuck in the impossible.
Trivial Pursuit is the game and sister Erica his brainy nemesis. Honestly, knowing the author of “The Diary of Anne Frank” is tricky. Anyone could have missed that one…and by anyone, I mean only one: Barry Goldberg. Without the help of the JTP, he was left stranded on an island in the form of a kitchen table chair with nothing but his Big Tasty raps, ka-ra-tay moves and his confused concept of what sitting down means. Nostalgic board game nirvana aside, Barry’s only hope to defeat Erica for title of the smartest person in the world/between the two of them would require a measured approach to studying and preparation.
“I will do everything in my power to learn knowledge!”
While this intellectual battle between siblings brewed at the Goldergs’ kitchen table (under the careful supervision of bathroom break prone Pops), youngest child Adam was facing a ball of a time in gym class…literally. Red, rubber balls to be precise. The most gladiator-like gym class activity, dodge ball, is the pinnacle of survival for any young boy and girl.
True story.
After hearing about such a “barbaric” game, Beverly went into Beverly-mode: yes, Beverly Goldberg got dodge ball cancelled. But after a special isolation exercise by Mr. Mellor focused on Adam, the youngest Goldberg was struck square in the face with one of these balls of life. It left a red mark, which matched the fury of mama Beverly. We all know what happened next, following a slow-motion, fear-driven stroll through the halls of William Penn Academy. Beverly Goldberg not only cancelled dodge ball, but she also got Mr. Mellor fired.
It just got real…entertaining.
After Murray relieved Mr. Mellor from his inaccurate curb address number painting gig (“where’s the 3?”) and enlisting him to help him at his work, the uber-competitive gym teacher proved too intense for his laid-back job in the furniture store (self-high five). Plus, there were just too many bananas…way too many bananas in one drink.
Had Beverly gone too far?
Of course she did, that’s not even a serious question. But it was in the funniest way possible. Still, a gym teacher belongs in a gym, torturing young children with life lessons and sports cliches, rope climbs and world-class dodging. And sometimes that gym teacher who still doesn’t know your last name is pushing you so hard because he wants to instill some relentless toughness in you, preparing you to dodge life’s many unpredictable challenges that not even the all-powerful Beverly can deflect.
And after Erica beat Barry at his own game (literally, he made a game called, “Barrynopoly”), Barry was not only deflated about his surprising defeat, but he candidly disclosed his intellectual limitations to his older sister Erica.
It just got real…for real.
Contests and debates between siblings reveal a special bond, one that extends beyond normal competitive jousting. There’s an uncensored ruthlessness, all in good fun, with added realizations of what’s really at stake. Just don’t say the words, “Chinese checkers” around a particular sister of mine…But just as Erica cheated to ensure Barry got his much-needed victory at Trivial Pursuit (questions from the “junior edition” were discreetly used), so do all of us with siblings to one extent or another. This may include an older sister finally giving in and seeing and laughing at a movie in the theater she had previously refused to admit she enjoyed, just to spend some quality time with her younger brother and validate his choice in comedy. Or this may include going easy on a younger brother during a complex card game, to give him a much-needed win after a stressful week (then my oldest sister crushed me 3 times in a row, but still).
Even a gaming warrior needs to show some heart every once in a while. A true warrior is not only physically and intellectually formidable, but this person is also fully aware of his or her surroundings:
Like a 1980s music video, a warrior also knows how to take it over-the-top for the win!
Jimmy's Daily Planet 