An argument for Barack Obama

I don't know which side you lean politically. But Lawrence Lessig (a man who's intelligence I respect) gives a 20 minute argument for Barack Obama. It's a damn good one Barack has had my vote scenes I saw his speech at the Democratic convention in 2004, and he still has it today.

Bananaz: Gorillaz documentary comming out!

It looks like they're making a documentary on my favorite fake band: Gorillaz

Really it's Jamie Hewlett that I'm a fan of. There's not many illustrators out there who I'll buy anything that they scribble on, he's the exception. I'm just blown away at his design sense. The music is ok but man those illustrations are something! I found myself buying all the CDs for the cover art more then the music.

http://www.bananazfilm.com/

Thanks

More Viewing Pleasure

Here's some videos that came to me that i found entertaining:

Here's an Animjam that was made mostly using postits. It has a fun loose quality. I like to imagine the people making these were doodling while they were board working at McDonalds or something. It's probibly not true, it's just what I like to imagine:



The new trailer for Kung Fu Panda came out. It looks promising, still follows Dremworks "edgy comidy" formula but I think I'll enjoy it. There's some good animation in it, I particurly like the chopsitick battle!

http://pdl.stream.aol.com/aol/us/moviefone/movies/2008/kungfupanda_024474/kungfupanda_trlr_02_a_720p_dl.mov


Here's a blast from the past, it's clever and fun. Sure it's ripping off an old Marcel Marceau idea, but it does it so well:

ROFL: The Vote

This is great, love the Surf's Up joke at the end.

Cool but Odd Animations of the day

These two short animated films plopped on my desk today. They're booth very cool, but they both make you think: "What the hell is going on?"

The first is a short film called Codehunters, it was made by Stateless Films:



The other is a Kit-Kat short film. I call it a short film because it seems longer then your avrage commercial.

http://motionographermedia.com/akama/akama_kk.mov

Thanks to Sudhir for bringing it to my attention. Anyone know who made it? Anyone know where I can get a Kit-Kat laced with hallucinogens? I guess that's how they make Kit-Kats in Europe, it's probably the only way they remain competitive.

New Mechanical sculptures/pupets from François Delarozière and Pierre Oreficee

The artists who put on the puppet show in London: "The Sultan’s Elephant" have done it again. But this time they've creased an installation of gigantic mechanical animals in the Machines de l'Ile Nantes in Nantes France. I don't know if you'd call them puppets or machines, what ever they are they're certainly cool looking. In any case check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzyWja6vg3I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuSoZKjPpGE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1ylXR-iY8I

You can find more pictures here:

http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/01/machine-animals-of-nantes.html

Take a look, it's truly amazing work.

Cloverfield

The non-spoiler section:

I was turned off by all the viral marketing for this movie, the trailer was long and boring, but I decided to see it anyway. And I'm glad I did. It's a fun film with 70% less camp then your average Godzilla movie. It is over hyped and if you can't stand hand held cameras then go see 20 Dresses instead. It's a fun monster movie that's done better then most monster moves are done these days. I'd recommend it, but don't expect too much.


The spoiler section:

A suggestions to JJ Abrams, read a book.
Most books introduce an idea and then explore the idea, you don't seem to like to do that. You just introduce an idea then abandon them. For example, when you introduce all little creatures that made your head explode? What was the point? If your going to introduce an idea like that at least explore it. Otherwise you end up with a well animated creature that is easly defeted with a blunt objest, but a mashene gun has no effect. Next time, just stick to the theme of a giant monster attacking a city what's wrong with exploring that idea. Save the little creatures for another film.

Also, I wish Americans could design creatures as well as the Japanese. He didn't look bad he just wasn't as cool looking as he could have been.

BTW if you haven't heard, they've already started the viral marketing for the sequel.