Cuppacafe

OK, now that may sound a tad harsh, but this was my reaction when I learned that a producer from Uruguay who created and then uploaded a short film of his to YouTube in November of 2009 was offered a $30m (£18.6m) contract to make a Hollywood film.

Fede Alvarez's short film "Ataque de Panico!" (Panic Attack!) featured giant robots invading and destroying Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay.

At first I was “wicked cool” but then I watch the five minute clip clip, and thought, “Wow! Have I already seen this film!” Well, you watch it, and then I’ll continue:

So, here’s what I got out of this. A film producer from Uruguay rips off the plot from War of the Worlds, changes the slow-moving tripods to slow-moving robots, throws in the fighting airships from Independence Day, spices it a bit with a Spielbergain opening (with the little kid), gives it a downbeat, bummer ending, like the Dawn of the Dead films, and winds up with a $30 million contract?

While I’m happy for the guy and all, something clearly just isn't right about all this, as it so clearly ripped off from several high-profile films.

The Perfessor

Can you match skills with the Joker and The Batman break dancing? Play by choosing either the Joker or the Batman from within the YouTube video. Then another video plays, and you hit the red button when the appropriate choice (of letters matching the dance moves) comes up.

Sound req'd for coolness of the 90s revisited...

YouTube link

Well, not only was Governor Palin lampooned on SNL once again by Tina Fey, but this time with her own words. Seriously, you have to follow the above link to get to the Youtube video (for some reason it didn’t allow for embedding). The full clip can be seen here on NBC/Saturdaynight live’s site.

What really makes this work is the fact that the real news media is yucking it up over the SNL sketch. Here is Wolf Blitzer weighing in on the clip:

Still, even SNL can’t hold a candle to what the rank and file of the Blogisphere is doing to this national joke. Think I’m kidding? then just take a gander at this very funny (if a tad scatological) YouTube video that my darling wife turned me on to juat last night.

It is a real hoot!

This stuff just gets better and better.

The Perfessor

What rings true about the following YouTube is that when on stage together since the convention, Palin makes McCain look old. McCain is probably a lot more active than he seems, but appearances do mean a lot.

YouTube

Addendum: For a stupider YouTube take on the McCain vetting process, there's this YouTube. I don't recommend it. ("You live near Russia. That makes you an expert on the country!!")

Edited to the humorous parts, here's several minutes of President Kennedy sparring with the press:

Note: There's no point to this, but it's facinating to listen to him speak in a congenial manner. A few parts did make me smile and he got the press audience to laugh.

Have a great weekend!