Chrystler Ads (Bill Hader’s Parody Edition)
There was a brief hullaballoo following the Super Bowl involving Clint Eastwood’s Chrystler Ad, ‘Hafltime in America’. Some political pundits saw his ad as a campaign ad for Obama – which I can sort of see, even if the ballyhoo was just that.
What really caught my eye was Bill Hader’s (& SNL’s) parodies of the ads, which are fantastic and strange. Hader has become an invaluable member of SNL – both for his impressions and his boisterous energy – and these ads capture Hader’s manic impressions and joy at his best.
(I would have embedded the Clint Eastwood originals, but Hulu’s link went all wonky.)
Bill Hader Parodies:
Movie of the Week – Jackie Brown
Jackie Brown | Quentin Tarantino | 1997
I truly believe that in the evolution of Quentin Tarantino as a filmmaker Jackie Brown might be the most important piece. Of course, Tarantino had made a touchstone picture in Pulp Fiction and he’s gone on to make flashier and more complex film since, but Jackie Brown feels like a film without hubris. Read More
Song of the Week – Comeback Kid
Sleigh Bells | Comeback Kid
For a band like Sleigh Bells, cultural relevance should be elusive. Which is a backhanded compliment, but it’s not like their brand of Fuzz Pop has ever shielded incredible returns – a mix of cheerleader pop with a healthy dose of The Jesus and Mary Chain. (Yeah, that’s just what America wanted.)
Their music is infectious, and as a testament to their Nowness, (which itself seems like a backward criticism) the band was featured on SNL this week.
So let’s enjoy the Nowness, because that’s pop music at its best.
Song of the Week – Better Off Without You
Summer Camp | Better Off Without You
Is there a better song for winter? Dance-y rhythm, catchy chorus – just the song to sing at the sour skies. Come on. Do it. You know you wanna.
It also doesn’t escape me that I’m publishing this song on Valentine’s Day. Not a great love song, but whatever, you’ll like it – date or no date.
Movie of the Week – Drive
Drive | Nicolas Winding Refn | 2011
Drive is as near a perfect movie as I can recommend. That said, I’d guess that most passive movie watchers will not like it for the reasons I do:
- Near perfect soundtrack (Cliff Martinez is amazing.)
- Gut Wrenching Violence (This is what an R Rating is for.)
- Ryan Gosling’s Idiot Savant Performance (The bliss he demonstrates while driving/flirting/killing is unnerving and remarkable. The look on his face after a particularly violent escapade in an elevator is downright haunting.)
