Tuesday, June 24, 2003
UNBELIEVABLE
Did you know there's a blog about Britney's back-up dancers? Madness. How do I know this? They were one of at least 10 blogs published before mine, yet at the same time. I'm not giving you the link, so bite me.
Did you know there's a blog about Britney's back-up dancers? Madness. How do I know this? They were one of at least 10 blogs published before mine, yet at the same time. I'm not giving you the link, so bite me.
HOW MANY ...
... blogs do you think are published every minute? Well, at least 11, given the fact that I have never popped up as one of the most recently published, no matter what. And Google still has Jihad against me, apparently, as I refuse to show up in their world. Dude, could there be more links on my page? Well, yeah, but who cares?
... blogs do you think are published every minute? Well, at least 11, given the fact that I have never popped up as one of the most recently published, no matter what. And Google still has Jihad against me, apparently, as I refuse to show up in their world. Dude, could there be more links on my page? Well, yeah, but who cares?
SPECIAL CONTEST!!!!
This is a Special First Reader Contest.
How do you win? Become the first reader of this blog.
I have no readers at this time.
To be the first reader, please email The Baron.
What do you win? Who cares? Isn't being a winner enough?
This is a Special First Reader Contest.
How do you win? Become the first reader of this blog.
I have no readers at this time.
To be the first reader, please email The Baron.
What do you win? Who cares? Isn't being a winner enough?
MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW DU YESTERDAY
"American Life" (International Version) by Madonna
Directed by Jonas Akerlund
Grade: C-
You may recall the hysterics that several people had when it was announced that Madonna would unveil a non-controversial cut of her "American Life" clip in the US--while providing overseas audiences with a daring, statement-making video condemning war. Salon, in particular, not a publication typically given to restraint and moderate thinking, wrung its hands over Madonna's decision. But an even half-hearted viewing of the video will reveal that it was probably pulled not because of an attempt to avoid offense, but because it was a bunch of incoherent nonsense that falls far short of the expectations laid upon the Mother of Lourdes.
The video intersperses close-ups of Madonna with images of a camouflage-themed fashion show, along with images of bombs and presumably Arab women. The imagery is blunt: America produces a culture of commodification and violence, wherein fashion and war are sold with identical advertising acumen. (Such a statement coming from Madonna stinks of pot-to-kettle implications.) Sadly, the images themselves are dreary, coming a disappointment from the normally visually adroit Akerlund (who seems to be in a post-Spun slump, given this and the terminally boring "Beautiful" clip for Xtina). An extended passage in a grimy bathroom serves no purpose, and by the time Madonna appears on the runway with a water-shooting jeep, all direction is lost to the four winds.
And its infamous ending, in which Madonna unleashes a hand grenade which a George W. Bush "look-alike" catches and turns into a lighter for his cigar, is as useless as can be. Madonna surely intends this as a swords-into-plowshares moment (cf. the Salon link above), but it comes across as an inept joke.
The shocking--and disappointing--reality is that the edited down domestic clip is far more interesting. Resorting to only close-ups on Madonna, it allows her to shine as a performer and a personality. Madonna's never excelled at message, unless selling oneself and one's image counts as message. That she should choose now to turn against the machine that she has exploited for two decades is hardly surprising, and might well succeed. But she has a better chance now that most Americans have been spared this misguided foray.
"American Life" (International Version) by Madonna
Directed by Jonas Akerlund
Grade: C-
You may recall the hysterics that several people had when it was announced that Madonna would unveil a non-controversial cut of her "American Life" clip in the US--while providing overseas audiences with a daring, statement-making video condemning war. Salon, in particular, not a publication typically given to restraint and moderate thinking, wrung its hands over Madonna's decision. But an even half-hearted viewing of the video will reveal that it was probably pulled not because of an attempt to avoid offense, but because it was a bunch of incoherent nonsense that falls far short of the expectations laid upon the Mother of Lourdes.
The video intersperses close-ups of Madonna with images of a camouflage-themed fashion show, along with images of bombs and presumably Arab women. The imagery is blunt: America produces a culture of commodification and violence, wherein fashion and war are sold with identical advertising acumen. (Such a statement coming from Madonna stinks of pot-to-kettle implications.) Sadly, the images themselves are dreary, coming a disappointment from the normally visually adroit Akerlund (who seems to be in a post-Spun slump, given this and the terminally boring "Beautiful" clip for Xtina). An extended passage in a grimy bathroom serves no purpose, and by the time Madonna appears on the runway with a water-shooting jeep, all direction is lost to the four winds.
And its infamous ending, in which Madonna unleashes a hand grenade which a George W. Bush "look-alike" catches and turns into a lighter for his cigar, is as useless as can be. Madonna surely intends this as a swords-into-plowshares moment (cf. the Salon link above), but it comes across as an inept joke.
The shocking--and disappointing--reality is that the edited down domestic clip is far more interesting. Resorting to only close-ups on Madonna, it allows her to shine as a performer and a personality. Madonna's never excelled at message, unless selling oneself and one's image counts as message. That she should choose now to turn against the machine that she has exploited for two decades is hardly surprising, and might well succeed. But she has a better chance now that most Americans have been spared this misguided foray.
