milk *an advertising agency

Never Better Than When It's Down - Up

The animated movie Up is now available on disc. This, of course, it not news. We just want to pay tribute to the brilliance of this love story. The first 12 minutes of this film are simply magical. Not because of how high they take you, but how low. There hasn't been another opening sequence, live action or otherwise, that can match its heartfelt power. Credit simply brilliant storytelling and a superb score by Michael Giacchino. And just when you think Up couldn't possibly tug at you any harder, it grabs you again at the end of the second act. Superb. Check it out.

It Occurred To Us...

On September 1st we posted about the advertising documentary Art & Copy and referenced that advertising great Lee Clow bore a striking resemblance to the late great Jim Henson - but we didn't provide proof. Our bad. We'll let you guess who's who.

Toy Glory - Warner Bros Developing LEGO Movie

We are very excited to hear that Warner Bros has a major motion picture in the works for one of our all-time favorite toys - LEGO. Rumor has it the movie will mix live action with animation. Whatever happens, we can't wait because few toys have been able to capture the imagination the way LEGO has for generations. We'll keep on ears open about this and let you know more when we hear about it.

Pix Czar - John Lasseter

Want to succeed in business? Then fail. Make mistakes. But do it quickly and move on. Sound scary? Not when it comes from John Lasseter, former Pixar chief and now top dog at Walt Disney Animation. In this article from Variety, Lasseter preaches learning from failure and, coming from the guy behind blockbusters like "Toy Story" and "Up," the message carries a lot of weight. Check it out.

The Maddest Men of All - Art & Copy

Many years ago, American Express ran a print ad featuring Lee Clow, an ad man who looks a lot like the late Jim Henson. It would be fair to say 99.9% of the people who saw the ad probably said, "I thought Jim Henson was dead." But to the .1% of us who know Clow and what he has meant to our industry and brands like AMEX, the man is a legend. That's why we at The Boathouse can't wait to see Art & Copy. The film "reveals the work and wisdom of some of the most influential advertising creatives of our time -- people who've profoundly impacted our culture, yet are virtually unknown outside their industry. Exploding forth from advertising's "creative revolution" of the 1960s, these artists and writers all brought a surprisingly rebellious spirit to their work in a business more often associated with mediocrity or manipulation." You'll definitely want to check this out.

Hot Opportunity - 3D Glasses

My daughter and I are going to the movies this weekend. We'll probably see G-Force and will have the option to see it in Digital 3D or not. She will want to see it in 3D. I will not. It's not because I don't like 3D, because I do. The quality as compared to when I was her age is amazing. It's just that while the image quality has advanced, the glasses have not. Sure, today's plastic glasses are much better than the red/blue cardboard junkers I wore when I saw Jaws 3 in Super 3D (oh yes I did.) But still, the modern one-size-for-all versions are ill-fitting and uncomfortable, and wearing them for an hour and a half takes the joy out of the experience. So, with more and more movies being made in Digital 3D, an untapped market exists for 3D Glasses. Let's say you see four to five 3D pics a year. Would you not spend ten to fifteen bucks for a comfortable, stylish pair of 3D specs? I would. And what if your kids could customize theirs? I'm sure someone has thought of this, and if they have, I hope they make them soon, because my daughter wants to see G-Force in 3D, and I know I'm going to lose that battle.

Man Among Man-Child – Judd Apatow

Most of us here at The Boathouse enjoy the work of Judd Apatow, the man behind hits like 40-Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (he produced). If you’ve seen his films, or any by his cast of regulars like Paul Rudd and Seth Rogan, then you know the formula. It’s funny, sophomoric and unapologetically crude. But the Man-Child trend is not everyone’s cup of tea. That’s ok. Plenty of movies out there. Find another barista. But we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share this hilariously insightful post from a blogger who subjected herself to an Apatow marathon and warns that doing so will “devour your soul.” Check it out.

Even Wes Craven Would Be Horrified

Though it was released in 2006, there isn’t a more relevant movie today than Who Killed the Electric Car? A top screenwriter on his best day couldn’t dream up a story of greed, fear and ineptitude like this one. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll mostly cry. Maybe the heads of GM, Ford and Chrysler can pop it in a DVD player as they road-trip back to Washington to beg for their handout. The Joe Sequenzia pick of the month. Check it out.

For Some Reason, We Want to See This

A true story. An incredible story. And the bizarre birth of the Twinkie defense. Nothing else we say can match the power of the previews. Check it out.