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Filed under: Famous People We Wish We Were | Tags: crap, dumb, film industry, marketing, movies, silly, trailers, wtf
Depending on one’s preference, the twenty minutes preceding the feature presentation are either the best or worst part of the cinema experience. Much like proto-butter topping on popcorn, movie trailers could be the most entertaining, tantalizing part of one’s day or the worst. They tease and beckon with a curling finger and a wink; they showcase the best 3-5 minutes of a plot, brand the film with music blasted by Dolby digital and they connect to a target audience.
The narrow branding of trailers seems to be yet another indication of film eroding from its traditional role as a collective medium of entertainment to a personal, individualized experience. In the ‘60s, everyone loved the Beatles, wore paisley and saw “The Graduate.” In 2009, everyone has his niche band, niche clothing store and a movie can be marketed to any of these vastly divergent tastes.
The trailer for the 2007 movie “Lucky You”, starring Drew Barrymore and Eric Bana, is a prime example for the warping that niche marketing often creates. Depending on which one an audience was given, the movie either was a Las Vegas riot, a contemplative jaunt, suspenseful gambling epic or a romantic comedy depending on choices of editing, lead in music, lighting, dialogue, and introduction of characters. One line of dialogue was even comically used in two completely different contexts. At one point Drew Barrymore’s character says, “when you mentioned your father, your eyes got all quiet.” Yet, in one trailer the line seems romantic, cuddly and something that unites her romantically with the male lead. In the other, it is a foreboding, melancholic line that leads one to believe that the male protagonist is ruminating about a strained relationship with his father.
Meaning is muddled by the ever-increasing scope of film advertising. Viral videos, web campaigns, Twitter accounts and niche marketing can make a movie into anything its audience needs. These newfangled, easily modified trailers make movies as artificial as their concession stand counterparts. Now, not only is the melted butter on the popcorn fake, so are the coming attractions.
Filed under: Famous People We Wish We Were | Tags: blogging, celebrity, famous4nothing, kim kardashian
2238187972_0b1c4500e7, originally uploaded by spraynardkreuger.
Celebrities love themselves, as we already know. And, to boot, the public at large is interested in their fascinating lives as well. Who wouldn’t want to know what’s inside Britney’s sock drawer or what profound secrets lie within the text messages of Paris Hilton? It only seems a natural evolution for famous people to believe writing about their petty clothing debacles and after parties would be of relevance to anyone.
Hence we have the celebrity, (or pseudo-celebrity,) blog. A pantheon of somewhat famous people have taken to the interweb with their intellectually probing life issues and commentary. Among these bright stars are Kirstie Alley, William Shatner and that guy from “The Dog Whisperer.” Yes, we are all indebted to these gracious individuals for giving us minions a glimpse into the good life.
One of the stand-outs of the celebrity blogosphere has to be Kim Kardashian. Famous for being famous, Kardashian and her wholesome family have a show on E!, Keeping up with the Kardashians. As if alluding to conspicuous consumption in their show’s title weren’t enough, ol’ Kim has launched her own premium website, http://kimkardashian.celebuzz.
Outfitted in pink backgrounds showcasing Kardashian’s “body” of work, the blog focuses mainly on, what else, Kim Kardashian and her plethora of fascinating social encounters. When she’s not using the site to plug a new show, product or event, she’s posting pictures of, guess who, herself on fun outings with socialites and fellow famous people.
Nearly every post contains at least several pictures of Kardashian, typically in sex-kitten esque poses or situated next to someone more famous, and arguably more interesting, than her. If you’re interested in the mediocre happenings of a mediocre celebrity than this is the page for you. All of which seems to beg the question, who reads this? Evidently enough people, with some posts boasting near 100 comments.
If you’re looking for salacious celebrity gossip that’s at least mildly entertainment on a guilt-inducing level, go to Perez Hilton. Kim Kardashian’s blog does little more than tout her already massive ego. But who can resist peeking into the hallowed corridors of Kardashian’s mind? ESPN parties, lackluster workout videos, trite television promos, it all sounds just too good to be true.
