Here’s a mock movie poster I made from the one for FUEL. Just added the BP logo. Checkout the creative new logos others have created for BP.

I really like this song from Lady Antebellum “I Run to You”.

"I Run To You"
I run from hate
I run from prejudice
I run from pessimists
But I run too late
I run my life
Or is it running me
Run from my past
I run too fast
Or too slow it seems
When lies become the truth
That’s when I run to you
[Chorus]
This world keeps spinning faster
Into a new disaster so I run to you
I run to you baby
And when it all starts coming undone
Baby you’re the only one I run to
I run to you
We run on fumes
Your life and mine
Like the sands of time
Slippin’ right on through
And our love’s the only truth
That’s why I run to you
[Repeat Chorus]

Here’s my first text-to-speech animation that I called “SOCIAL MISFIT”. It’s about how silly all this social media stuff can be sometimes when people take things too personally when complete strangers decide to unfollow you on a social network for no good reason.

I just saw INCEPTION and I have to say that I was blown away. It was even better than I expected. Director Christoher Nolan and Leonardio DiCaprio should both win Oscars for this work. Nolan should also win for his intricate, thought-provoking mind-bending screenplay that took 10 years to craft (and it shows by the levels of detail throughout!). I also loved the entire cast which was extremely strong: DiCaprio, Ellen Page (Juno), Joseph Gorden-Hewitt (500 days of Summer), Marion Cotillard as the wife and Tom Hardy who was a revelation as Eames the forger. 

A good sign of a great film isn’t the box office numbers (look at the insane totals for the braindead Pirates of the Carribean series and many others) but by the intense debates and reactions by movie goers after they’ve seen the film. That’s what’s happening right now with Inception as countless people are discussing every tiny detail of the story, trying to figure things out and possibly find the true meaning of the ending.

The best place to see this entertaining and enlightening debate in action is over at ScreenRant in their piece about the Inception Ending Explained. Tons of fans are sharing their thoughts and theories about the meaning of not only the ending of the movie and the movie itself but about life itself. It’s very fascinating stuff and all generated by the marvelous mind of one Mr. Nolan.

One of the interesting theories was by someone who focused on the name of the lead character, Dom Cobb.

Anyone explored metaphor of Dom Cobb (dom – domicile, kingdom, home) (Cobb – nickname for Jacob) aka Jacob’s home or ladder parallelism? In Genesis, Jacob dreams and in it God makes an inception into Jacob by telling him:

“I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father … the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your descendants; and your descendants shall be like the dust of the earth… will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done that of which I have spoken to you.”

… then Jacob awakes up and :”"Surely the Lord is in this place; and I did not know it…This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

Note: I don’t know if this is related at all but there is a scene when Dom explains how he and his wife were like GODS creating their own world in their dream.

Here’s another theory that’s very interesting as well: Never Wake up the meaning and Secret of Inception.
This one builds the case around a comment from DiCaprio who compares Nolan’s Inception to Fellini’s 8 1/2 and lists all the ways that this movie was really about the process of making movies. Cobb is the director, the architect is the screenwriter and so on. It’s all very fascinating.

I could go on and on about how fantastic this movie is but you just need to see it and feel it for yourself. Most people are feeling and thinking the same about about this masterpiece. Of course there will be those that won’t like this type of cerebral entertainment but that’s fine, we all have our own tastes. All I know is that this is a special experience that will need a few viewings to fully appreciate and understand. It’s something that will stay with you forever.

Here’s the exit song from “So You Think You Can Dance” called “SHINE” by Black Gold.

SHINE

she knows it’s time
to say goodbye
to all that she wanted
for all that she loves.
devotes her mind
to thoughts divine
for all that she needed
and all that she loves
recites the lines
repeats the rites
to all that she needed
and wanted most
won’t you shine tonight,
in the face of the light?
with you on my mind,
i can make it through,
make it through the night
she bides her time
with quiet pride
for all that she wanted
and all that she loves
she begs and pleads
he’s all she needs
and ever wanted
she calls out again
won’t you shine tonight,
in the face of the light?
with you on my mind,
i can make it through,
make it through the night
she takes him in
on calloused knees
(but he’s not there)
the emptiness is all she sees
so she begs and she pleads
won’t you
shine tonight?
In the face of the light?
with you (with you on my mind, I can make it through;
with you on my mind I can make it)
won’t you shine tonight,
in the face of the light?
with you on my mind,
i can make it through,
make it through the night
won’t you shine and shine tonight?
won’t you shine in the face of the light?
with you on my mind,
i can make it though,
make it through the night,
though this night.

The discussion begins at the end of every World Cup about who is the best team in soccer history. While Spain was a good team (and incredibly lucky), they are not the best of all time. This has to be proven over a longer period of time than their two year run winning the Euro Cup (barely beating Italy on penalty kicks) and the 2010 World Cup (barely beating Netherlands with offsides goal in extra time). No, they will need to win some more in the next two years to be compared to the greats.

Right off the top of my head, I have to contend that there are several Brazilian teams from different decades that were better than this mostly passing team from Spain. I would even place a few great teams from Germany, Argentina and Italy above Spain.

Here are some interesting stats and facts that you might find interesting.

Undefeated World Cup Champions

The only team to ever win all World cup qualifying matches and finals tournament matches is the great Brazil side in 1970 who won all 13 games. Spain did win all 10 of their qualifying matches but they fell on their faces in the first game of this World Cup by losing to Switzerland.

World Cup Winners that Lost a match

As for the talk of Spain being the first team to win the World Cup after losing a game in the first round, that is not correct. Argentina lost to Italy in the group stage in 1978 and went on to win it all vs Netherlands (yup, the same Dutch that lost in 2010). Argentina almost repeated this feat in 1990 when they lost in round one but made it all the way to the finals only to lose to Germany.

Longest Winning Streaks

Spain won 15 games in a row from June 26, 2008 (defeated Russia, 3-0) to June 24, 2009 (ended by United States, 0-2)

Longest Unbeaten Streaks

Brazil went 45 games without a defeat from 1993 to 1997 including the 1994 World Cup over Italy. Spain went 35 games unbeaten until the USA beat them 2-0 in 2009.

Most Wins by Club Teams

In Europe the longest record of consecutive wins on record belongs to Benfica in Portugal, including the legend that is Eusebio, who between 1971-72 and 1972-73 recorded 29 successful results in a row!

Eusebio

Other notable runs have been achieved by:

- 28 games – Dinamo Zagreb – 2007-08
- 25 games – Celtic – 2003-04
- 22 games – PSV Eindhoven – 1987-88
- 17 games – Inter – 2006-07
- 15 games – Real Madrid – 1960-61
- 15 games – Bayern Munich – 2005-06

I’m a big fan of Buble so it’s no surprise that I loved this song and the wonderful music video. It’s a sweet and simple song about keeping your hope alive about meeting your one and only. Whether you believe in soulmates or not, this is an upbeat fun and joyful song and music video. Michael has built his reputation doing the classics and standards so it’s great to see him creating his own new songs for a change.

I’m not surprised, not everything lasts
I’ve broken my heart so many times, I stopped keeping track
Talk myself in, I talk myself out
I get all worked up, then I let myself down
I tried so very hard not to lose it
I came up with a million excuses
I thought, I thought of every possibility
And I know someday that it’ll all turn out
You’ll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, that I give so much more than I get
I just haven’t met you yet
I might have to wait, I’ll never give up
I guess it’s half timing, and the other half’s luck
Wherever you are, whenever it’s right
You’ll come out of nowhere and into my life
And I know that we can be so amazing
And, baby, your love is gonna change me
And now I can see every possibility
And somehow I know that it’ll all turn out
You’ll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, I give so much more than I get
I just haven’t met you yet
They say all’s fair
In love and war
But I won’t need to fight it
We’ll get it right and we’ll be united
And I know that we can be so amazing
And being in your life is gonna change me
And now I can see every single possibility
And someday I know it’ll all turn out
And I’ll work to work it out
Promise you, kid, I’ll give more than I get
Than I get, than I get, than I get
Oh, you know it’ll all turn out
And you’ll make me work so we can work to work it out
And I promise you kid to give so much more than I get
Yeah, I just haven’t met you yet
I just haven’t met you yet
Oh, promise you, kid
To give so much more than I get
I said love, love, love, love
Love, love, love, love
(I just haven’t met you yet)
Love, love, love, love
Love, love
I just haven’t met you yet

I am obsessed with a song that came out in 1999 called “Senza Pieta” which means “Without Mercy” by an Italian artist I love named Anna Oxa. Somehow I never heard it when it came out so it’s like a new song to me. She’s always been one of my favorite artists because she’s always so unique and original. She always looks and sounds different but she is always beautiful and such a passionate performer. She’s been very successful in Italy and abroad for decades.

I was so thrilled to read that Anna actually won the grand prize at the festival of Sanremo which is an annual competition in Italy for music artists. She previously won the prize a decade earlier in 1989 with “Ti lascerò” which was a duet with Fausto Leali. She had placed 2nd at the festival in 1978 as a 16 year old so this was a wonderful achievement that took over 20 years to win completely on her own. What a song it is too.

The music video is just as enjoyable as the song itself. She looks amazing and I enjoyed the Gladiator and knights of the round table look and feel. Check it out below as well as her live performance of the song at Sanremo which she won in 1999.

Here’s her live performance that won it all. What a fantastic performer she is.

Here’s an interview of Anna after winning. It’s very funny…

Here are the lyrics translated (rather badly). The title translates to Without Pity but the meaning and spirit is more without mercy in the context of the story of the song.

We stop the swamps or snow,
your capital now glimpse,
day after day ride of your life …
Are generally more cruel face,
I do not make prisoners, and my sword is shining
land after land every attack your fortress I …
You’ll find …
I’ll take …
I’ll take you …
Forever with me …
You shake …
conquer …
protect you …
And without mercy
I will love you with all my love …
And without pity
will become a source
in the desert …
I quench its thirst …
My hands, your hands in this battle,
is a treacherous ambush this bush
roll along the river of feelings …
You’ll find …
I’ll take …
I’ll take you …
Forever with me …
You shake …
conquer …
protect you …
And without mercy
I will love you with all my love …
And without mercy
will become a source
in the desert …
I quench its thirst …
Do not be afraid of me …
even the deepest darkness
may be worth a gamble … the thrill … more
it’s you …
No mercy
I will love you with all my love
and mercilessly
become your kingdom
sweet dream …
I will win …
I will give myself and this heart of mine
and mercilessly …
I bathe her lips
with the lips
I quench its thirst …

I love the show “Mad Men” so this documentary called “Art & Copy” was right up my alley! It’s all about the power and beauty that can be marketing and advertising when done right. It covers a lot of the glory from Madison Avenue from the 50s and 60s and beyond.

It’s full of wonderful little behind the scene stories for some of the most successful ad campaigns. I really enjoyed the honest and hilarious comments from some of the giants of the industry. This was a total delight. If you are a creative type then you will also enjoy this. The slogan is “Creativity can solve anything”

Here’s the trailer. It’s streaming in its entirety right now on Netflix.

Here’s a quick interview of the director and the creator of the I want my MTV campaign

I was profoundly moved by a documentary called “FOR NEDA” which was a tribute to the woman that was killed during the Iranian protests in 2009. She immediately became a symbol for the incredible uprising in Iran. I remember when it happened and being captivated by all of the amazing news coming from that region of the world as young Iranians rose up and revolted against their dictatorship and rigged election. We witnessed it unfold online on twitter and YouTube as citizen journalism was born.

Still, it was heartbreaking watching this touching film because the more you learned about Neda and her wonderful family, the more painful her loss became. She was a vibrant, young woman whose life would be cut short for no good reason. I was also angered as I learned just how bad women have it in that part of OUR world. How can this be? In this day and age! How do we allow it to happen? Not just there but in many regions of the planet. I think we need to see these kinds of films and learn as much as we can so we can know the truth and possibly help change things in the world.

Here’s the entire documentary, “FOR NEDA”. You really should watch it. I am positive it will change you forever, as it did for me.