Halo Top- Stop Shoulding Yourself

The latest commercial from Halo Top stands out in its choice of featuring a plus-sized model dancing in her underwear.  According to a brand manager at the firm, this spot “is for anyone who feels those pressures of what they should be doing versus what they actually are doing, whether that be around career, social life, wellness and beyond.”

On a side note, I found it quite interesting to read what some of the reviewers had to say.

From Adage:

If staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic has taught people anything about dining, perhaps it’s that a pint of ice cream is best enjoyed while dancing around in one’s underwear. Sure, it’s something people may have done before shelter-in-place became the norm, but it takes on new meaning when there’s little else to do and no reason to go out.

From Reel360:

If Quarantine hasn’t left you throwing your own solo dance party in your undies, you’re either lying or definitely in need of more therapy…

For now, I’ll be in my own apartment dancing around with some Halo Top in hand. Let’s all aim to be a little more scandalizing to our neighbors. It’ll keep us young.

Maersk- Disconnected

Corporate messaging packaged as a thriller- that’s what Maersk is going for in this 5 minute video, a follow-up to its 2019 video, This is your brain.

The Flight of the Phoenix (1965)

Watching it after many years, my most striking observation was that despite its gentle pace and a running time of well over 2 hours, I found it riveting.  That’s something I can’t say for its 2004 remake, which is 30 minutes shorter.

Doubtless, some of the credit for that should go to Robert Aldrich, for his inspired direction, and some to the amazing star cast.  It isn’t often that you have names such as James Stewart, Richard Attenborough, Peter Finch, Ernest Borgnine, and George Kennedy in a single movie.  Add to that, you have memorable performances from Hardy Krüger, Ronald Fraser, and Ian Bannen (who is outstanding).  Yet, I couldn’t help thinking that a lot of the impact was due to the depth and quality of the writing.

It has the contours of a survival thriller- how a group of survivors from a plane crash in the Sahara take an audacious, if implausible, approach to finding their way back to civilization. But it has been brilliantly fashioned as a character drama that milks tension from inter-personal conflict in the course of accomplishing an urgent, common objective. It is noteworthy that there are practically no sub-plots, or fillers or distractions of any real consequence. 

This may seem odd but the more I thought about the writing, I found myself also thinking of that much revered movie, 12 Angry Men.  Apart from some of the things mentioned above being similar, both movies have an all-male cast, and are set within a single location.  Both movies have something to say about leadership and teamwork.  Whether a comparison is justified or not, it certainly enhanced my appreciation for The Flight of the Phoenix.

Here’s a link to the trailer.

REMA 1000- Smartboat

The latest commercial from Norwegian no-frills grocery chain, REMA 1000, is a worthy follow-up to its hilarious ‘Smarthouse’ series of ads.

The Rewind Button

A 2 minute video put out by Brand Soup Advertising, Bangladesh, to coincide with Father’s Day. 

Burger King- Safety Instructions

Burger King France announces the re-opening of its in-restaurant dining (and the precautions being taken) with a fun new commercial that puts a delightful spin on airline safety instructions.

Bullet to Beijing (1995)

This is a movie worth checking out only if you are a die-hard Michael Caine fan, or are open to watching something that is laughable in its silliness. 

In the 1960s, Caine played the role of the spy Harry Palmer in a series of movies based on novels by Len Deighton.  Palmer was projected as the antithesis of James Bond.  He had a working class background, he wore glasses, and was bland to a fault.  There were enough takers for the idea, the movies were a success, and the character built up its own fan following.

Bullet to Beijing was an attempt to revive the character.  It was conceived as the first of two back-to-back movies with Caine reprising the role of Palmer, now as a retired spy.  That wouldn’t have been a bad thing except that the movie is a mess.  The Palmer here is nothing like the Palmer of the earlier movies.  He could have been any old, out-of-work has-been, short on cash.  The movie itself is tonally over the place: it’s hard to make out if it wants to be taken seriously, or as a spoof.

Still, I must admit that I wasn’t bored.  There is a fair bit to be amused about the plot contrivances, and the portrayal of post-USSR Russia.  Most of all, it is the ever-reliable Caine who makes it worthwhile.  He is fun to watch as he embraces the absurdities that keep on piling up, while mouthing lines such as a toast to “market economy and big tits”.

The Mechanic (1972)

This was the second of six collaborations between director Michael Winner and actor Charles Bronson, the most well-known of which is the 1974 Death Wish.  It was the basis for the 2011 Jason Statham starrer of the same name.  Knowing either of these facts can lead one to  assume that this is an action thriller.  I’d suggest caution in making such an assumption.

Unlike the 2011 movie, in this movie, the action sequences are fewer, and primarily intended to liven up what otherwise comes across as a brooding, measured character study.  Though the broad strokes of the storyline are similar, there are notable differences in plot points and character motivations that might surprise anyone who has seen the 2011 movie. 

Bronson plays the title role: a contract killer, whose methodical, painstaking approach and icy exterior is introduced to us via a remarkable 15 minute dialogue-free opening scene.  But there’s another side to him that slowly unfolds.  He suffers from pangs of loneliness and anxiety attacks.  Somewhere along the way, he takes on a cocky young apprentice (played by Jan-Michael Vincent), with a cold-blooded demeanour and a penchant for  mind games.  It is their relationship that becomes the focus of the movie from that point onwards.

Personally, I found it fascinating- largely on account of its themes and the writing.  For my money, this is better than the 2011 movie.  It may not be as slick, but it is certainly more thoughtfully crafted. 

Here is a link to a clip from the movie.

MoneySuperMarket- Money Calm Bull

An amusing commercial, with an interesting idea, that I felt, could have been exploited a lot better.  That feeling became all the more stronger when I saw this earlier commercial from them, released last year.

RIP Ian Holm

While the most indelible screen images are of his portrayal of Bilbo Baggins, there are many others that are also worth remembering. 

From Juggernaut (1974): The tussle over paying the ransom

From Henry V (1989): “The Welshman did good service…” (with Kenneth Branagh)

Winrox- Train to Busan

From the Philippines: this awesome commercial, an inspired take on the South Korean zombie thriller, was first aired last year, and recently re-surfaced with English subtitles and a tongue-in-cheek introduction.

How do we solve the Coronavirus transport crisis?

Can cycling be the answer? A video put out by The Guardian tries to make the case for it.

In any case, bicycle sales seem to have been booming in the US, and there may even be a shortage of bikes.

PT: Fresh

The PT brand of fuel stations in Thailand has differentiated itself by positioning its fuel as “fresh”.  With this amusing new commercial, it extends that to cover other services offered at the fuel stations.

Dennis Potter’s Final Interview

Here is a man of words, one of the great television dramatists of the 20th century, expressing himself with remarkable candour, sharing thoughts of unquestionable wisdom.  What is stunning is the eloquence and clarity of thought, that soars above his physical challenges, intense pain, and the knowledge of being on the doorstep of death.  The interview was recorded on 15 March, 1994: Potter passed away on 4 June that year.

Here’s a link to the interview.

Here’s a link to a piece in Frieze that talks about how the interview was set up.

Here’s a link to piece in the New York Times that includes an edited transcript of the interview.

Alternative link to the interview

Keep it Real Online

A series of PSAs from the New Zealand Government that take an interesting approach towards highlighting the risks that children face online, and the need for candidly discussing those with them.

Pornography

Grooming

Bullying

Inappropriate Content

Wiener’s Circle- We’re Here For You

A standout new commercial from Wiener’s Circle, the Chicago hot dog stand, known and loved for its foul-mouthed service.  As they so eloquently put it, you can order online “your favorite dogs and fries with a side of abuse”.

Republicans Vs. Trump

I don’t follow US politics closely but from the little that I understand, it should be rare to come across a strong anti-Trump campaign from people of his own party.  Yet that seems to be the agenda of a group of Republicans who have banded together to form what they call The Lincoln Project.  Here’s a short selection of videos that they’ve put out against Trump and his supporters.

War Zone: no-holds-barred, anti-Trump.

Rich Mitch: a slap in the face of Senate Majority leader, Mitch McConnell.

Fox and Fiends: highlights of the conservative media’s dubious coverage of COVID-19.

Aussie Democracy

A video of an Australian homeowner matter-of-factly requesting Prime Minister Scott Morrison to step off his lawn because it had just been seeded, and the PM cheerfully complying.

Piers Morgan vs. Rudy Giuliani

They may not be someone you might want to watch, but when they have a go at each other, that’s something else altogether.

A link to the complete interview (minus the last 2 minutes, linked above).

COVID-19 Billboards

An outdoor campaign that takes a distinctly different approach towards spreading awareness of COVID-19.