Archiveshttp://thedailyreel.com/news-opinion/blogs/the-daily-feedThe company blogdaily1Archiveshttp://thedailyreel.com/news-opinion/blogs/the-daily-feedhttp://thedailyreel.com/logo.pngDon't Skimp on the Avocadohttp://thedailyreel.com/news-opinion/blogs/the-daily-feed/archive/2006/12/01/dont-skimp-on-the-avocado-1Upon learning Kraft guacamole contains less than two percent avocado, a California woman decided to sue the food conglomerate for false labeling.
Dear Kraft Foods,
Have you ever eaten guacamole? I’m not
talking the stuff you sell in Tupperware or the powered stuff you can
buy at the store. By recipe and definition, Guacamole is “an avocado based relish or dip” dating back to the time of the Aztecs.
In recent years, guacamole
has become a party favorite here in America and is often served with
chips, tacos, or in bean dips. Although recipes for avocado vary, some
adding onions, tomatoes, chilies, mayo or sour cream, but as a rule, it
seems safe to assume that all guacamole is at least half avocado.
"It
just didn't taste avocadoey," said plaintiff Brenda Lifsey, who
identified herself as a federal employee who lives in Los Angeles. "I
looked at the ingredients and found there was almost no avocado in it." According to an article in The Consumerist,
Claire Regan, Kraft Foods' vice president of corporate affairs,
responded to the claim stating "We think customers understand that it
isn't made from avocado."
Now Kraft, don’t play dumb. Even the recipe on your website
for “Guacamole Dip” includes 1 cup of chopped ripe avocado. Not to
mention, the people in California take their guacamole very seriously.
Did you not get the notice? It is the state where Hass avocado’s were
born and even has it’s own Avocado Commission.
Just in case there was any doubt, I strongly suggest check out this user-generated video featuring an every day American sharing her guacamole recipe with the world. Note: There is way more than 2% avocado!
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2006-12-01T18:03:23-06:002007-06-06T16:57:18-05:00Felicia Williamslawsuitlawsuitcorporate“The Lost Seinfeld Episode” Featuring Michael Richards (Kramer) Laugh-Factory Rampagehttp://thedailyreel.com/news-opinion/blogs/the-daily-feed/archive/2006/12/01/201cthe-lost-seinfeld-episode201d-featuring-michael-richards-kramer-laugh-factory-rampageCourtesy of the MediaMoGirl blog, I give you one of the funniest timely satires ever. It’s a “Lost Seinfeld Episode” done by National Lampoon.
This parody video combines classic Seinfeld clips with actual footage of Michael Richards’ rascist rant at the Laugh Factory.
It also includes some of the Letterman appearance. I can’t imagine how
many Seinfeld tapes the National Lampoon went through to create this.
They stream the video on the National Lampoon website with ads, and have distributed it as well via Revver (below).
Related: Michael Richards Apologizes on Letterman and Michael Richard Paints It Black in "Whoops Apocalypse"
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2006-12-01T08:48:57-06:002006-12-01T11:45:56-06:00Kevin NaltsChris Rock Predicts OJ Simpson’s Almost Book Title http://thedailyreel.com/news-opinion/blogs/the-daily-feed/archive/2006/11/30/chris-rock-predicts-oj-simpson2019s-almost-book-titleThis was the very first sketch on the very first episode of HBO's "Chris Rock Show" from about ten years ago.
Yet another example of how and public figures creative work can resurface via the power of YouTube; this clip is a friendly reminder of how completely outrageous the celeb-tells-all book could have been.
I will admit the first forty seconds seems unbearable – mostly due to the decade old humor. But, is it at all possible that the creator of the Simpson book pulled the title from this brilliant comedy sketch? I’m guessing not, but Rock’s humor was clearly ahead of its time.
The Rock Show, which featured the popular comedian's interviews with celebrities and politicians, gained critical acclaim during its three-season run on HBO.
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2006-11-30T18:08:16-06:002007-06-06T17:10:20-05:00Felicia WilliamscanceledcelebritycomedyretroparodyI’m Too Busy Blogginghttp://thedailyreel.com/news-opinion/blogs/the-daily-feed/archive/2006/11/30/i2019m-to-busy-bloggingThis short is hilarious, mostly because it is my life - and probably the lives of any other online editors – in a nutshell.
Who would've ever thought blogging was this hectic? There have definitely been times that I've ignored the world because I was “blogging.” Fashion trends come and gone, major news broken, celebrities walked by, and I was too busy to notice.
Even more ridiculous is the tone in which this guy says the word “blogging;” he says it like eight times in one minute and I just couldn't stop laughing. “Um..sorry, I’m blogging.. can’t you do that I’m blogging…Send that to my voicemail. I’m blogging here.” So funny. Also, who in the internet biz actually wears a suit any more? My suggestion: put on some jeans and some Chucks and get a latte, Bud. Because in this web savvy world there is a whole lot of blogging to be done!
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2006-11-30T13:51:41-06:002007-06-06T17:30:29-05:00Felicia WilliamsfunnyparodycomedyofficeinternetStandhttp://thedailyreel.com/news-opinion/blogs/the-daily-feed/archive/2006/11/30/standInspired by the book "Stand Against The Wind" by Erwin Raphael McManus, this short serves as a metaphor for life with a decided slant towards optimism."I liked the idea of creativity trumping the destructive
power of the wind and bringing life to an otherwise barren place," said director Stephen Fitzgerald
Created at Monovich Studio, additional credits include: sound design by John Marquis; music by Ben Beiny; additional design by Sarah Fitzgerald.
Monovich is an Los Angeles design and animation studio headed by Stephen Fitzgerald who was previously the design director at Aerodrome Pictures.
The short premiered on Issue 24 of the DVD collective Stash. I found almost all the information for this post in the DVD booklet.
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2006-11-30T11:21:29-06:002007-06-06T17:26:43-05:00DeKshort filmscompilationanimation3DHouse of the Rising Sunhttp://thedailyreel.com/news-opinion/blogs/the-daily-feed/archive/2006/11/29/house-of-the-rising-sunThis video clip of The Animals singing one of my favorite recordings from the 60’s has pretty much shattered the historical and visual gaps that my imagination has filled with its own gritty details.
The first song since 1962 by a British band to
hit #1 in America that was not written by John Lennon and Paul
McCartney, this soulful ballad has been covered by major recording artists for at least
four decades. About a brothel in New Orleans, "The House Of The Rising Sun" seems much darker than these men in matching suits appear to represent.
With generations passing since this song was recorded by The Animals, its word have become timeless and it’s melody is still haunting. The who-sang-it and where-are-they-now was never relevant in my mind. I had formulated my own perception of its origin: desert cowboys passing along stories and the long and torture road, the sun beating down on them as they ride into the horizon. Or maybe a band of men tainted by the inner city street, with dark secrets and tainted smiles.
The power of YouTube has put a face to the voice that haunts me and added a context to the song that defined a generation. I am not sure if this newly discovered knowledge was an informed remedy for my dillusions or an unwanted end to my imagination.
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2006-11-29T11:50:52-06:002007-06-06T15:09:12-05:00Felicia WilliamsflashbackmusicbritishhistoryLa Codahttp://thedailyreel.com/news-opinion/blogs/the-daily-feed/archive/2006/11/28/la-codaPhotographed and xeroxed on small sheets, then painted and filmed with a 35mm camera, La Coda features 1200 drawings about the movings of Buster Keaton.
The
final result is surprisingly smooth and... yes, funny; even though
every each frame could be regarded as a painting on its own.
A two minutes short movie realized by Gianluigi Toccafondo, produced by Mix Film, in Milan.
Well, I don't usually link back to my previous posts on my site.
But sometimes I like to do it, anyway. So, take a look at Toccafondo's commercial Cinema d'Europa if you didn't before.
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2006-11-28T09:43:40-06:002007-06-06T17:00:23-05:00DeKhomageanimationartmash-upforeignMichael Richards Paints It Black in "Whoops Apocalypse"http://thedailyreel.com/news-opinion/blogs/the-daily-feed/archive/2006/11/27/michael-richards-paints-it-black-in-whoops-apocalypseHonestly, I'm tired of the “racist” debate; Richards’ words were conceived in anger. When does comedy stop and hatred begin?
Along with his original rant and Letterman apology, this video clip of Richards playing a blind, back man in Whoops Apocalypse (1986) has been gaining popularity on YouTube.
It's been a little over a week since Richards’ slur-slinging rampage hit the web and the buzz is still ringing. After being threatened by Jamie Foxx and hiring power-publicist Howard Rubenstein to handle the backlash of his candid camera video, Richards continues to apologize for his comments.
His tirade is not funny- but some of the circumstances surrounding it are. It's a bit of ironic inevitability that at least once in his comedic career, Richards "portrayed" the minority that he so brutally offended. Another funny viral is this user-generated rap song that plays off of Richards quote “I’m not a racist, that’s what’s so insane about it.”
I think it is time to step back form the stone throwing and appreciate the plotline as a whole. Richards established himself a great comedian and created a timelessly spastic character, Cosmo Kramer. And just like his beloved alter-ego, this guy is insane.
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2006-11-27T04:20:45-06:002007-06-06T17:47:32-05:00Felicia Williamspop culturenewscelebritycomedyviralSmokung Fuhttp://thedailyreel.com/news-opinion/blogs/the-daily-feed/archive/2006/11/26/smokung-fuWho needs gum or a patch, when you can have your very own Kung Fu master to help you kick that dirty little habit.
First of all, any PSA with a man dressed up as a big fat cigarette with a cloud of smoke billowing from the top, will grab my attention. But when you mix a nicotine-clad man with a Karate master, you are just asking for trouble.
I will admit that in general, I have noticed that there are far less smokers in California than in New York. (Note: I feel like when you move to Manhattan, the local gov. gives you a complimentary carton and teaches you to inhale).
But after watching this video, I almost want to start smoking so that I can have my own Kung Fu master to help me quit.
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2006-11-26T02:39:11-06:002007-06-06T16:20:48-05:00Felicia WilliamsfunnypsacommerciallocalThe Sandmanhttp://thedailyreel.com/news-opinion/blogs/the-daily-feed/archive/2006/11/25/the-sandmanA chilling interpretation of an old European folktale. This Oscar-nominated short film was conceived, designed and produced by Colin Batty, Paul Berry and Ian Mackinnon.
It has won awards at Festivals in Hiroshima, Annecy, Stuttgart, Ottawa and Espinho.” (Source: Mackinnon & Saunders)
“While The Sandman abounds with psychoanalytical theories
(sleep equals denial of life, so unconsciousness is an invitation to
death), it is its rich film language that gives the rather simple
storyline depth and a truly nightmarish edge. Using the hallmarks of
Expressionist cinema, director Paul Berry creates a darkly atmospheric film that evokes and preys on our childhood fears and nightmares.” (Source: Screen Online)
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2006-11-25T22:49:54-06:002007-06-06T17:26:42-05:00DeKoscarsnightmareshort filmsKeep the "Holy" in "Holiday" With Madonnahttp://thedailyreel.com/news-opinion/blogs/the-daily-feed/archive/2006/11/22/keep-the-holy-in-holiday-with-madonnaFor those doing a little pre-Thanksgiving preparation tonight in front of the television, be wary of the NBC Madonna concert special at 8pm.
While you can catch the Material Girl in multiple getups, you won't be seeing the controversial crucifixion footage that opens Madonna's rendition of "Live to Tell," which was censored by the network after religious groups put on the pressure. If you want to see the sequence, there's always YouTube.
I would also be surprised if they air these particular comments that Madge made at a recent concert in New York regarding George W. Bush.
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2006-11-22T14:03:25-06:002006-11-22T14:03:25-06:00Anthony KaufmanHow to Cook a Turkeyhttp://thedailyreel.com/news-opinion/blogs/the-daily-feed/archive/2006/11/22/how-to-cook-a-turkeyWith Thanksgiving around the corner, kitchens around America are heating with the pressure to cook a perfect Turkey.
There are many ways to cook a Turkey. People usually arrive at their methods either through tradition, cookbooks or hearsay.
Here is a video from EasyCookVideos.com that describes the traditional way of cooking a Turkey. If you have never prepared a Turkey before, I'd suggest you take a look.
Complimented with a serine, ambient music, this video breaks down all the necessary steps and suggested ingredients needed for your holiday fare. Personally, I would have liked to see the tune be a little more festive. But to the creator's credit, there really isn't any standard set for what makes a good Thanksgiving songs.
Good luck with all that quality kitchen time tomorrow. Oh yea, have a Happy Thanksgiving!
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2006-11-22T13:50:58-06:002006-11-22T16:18:37-06:00Ajit Anthony PremOrder of the Phoenix: New Potter Trailerhttp://thedailyreel.com/news-opinion/blogs/the-daily-feed/archive/2006/11/21/new-potter-trailer-prisoner-of-azkabanAfter my disappointment with the last installment of the Potter franchise, Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire, I'm proud to report that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix looks to sit next to Alfonso Cuaron's Prisoner of Azkaban as an actual good Potter film.
I may be speaking too early, but the shots of wizards riding brooms above the London skyline are akin to the Knight Bus zooming through the streets from episode 3. Firmly implanting it on planet earth, and not the insulated storybook world episodes 1,2 and 4 were conceived in.
I know what you're thinking....NYERD! But seriously Muggles, the Harry Potter novels have grown up into becoming the great existing post-9/11 mythology; a contemporary battle between good and evil that features corrupt governments, a yellow press and an even scarier version of Guantanamo Bay. The films are hit and miss, but producer David Heyman and Warner Bros. must be admired for taking risks (post-Colombus) on directors who wouldn't normally be considered by the suits for such material. I don't know much about this David Yates fellow, but he is clearly a Brit filmmaker to watch.
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2006-11-21T14:24:20-06:002007-06-06T17:14:43-05:00Spencer Somerspop culturetrailercommercialfilmRobert Altman, American Master, Dies at 81http://thedailyreel.com/news-opinion/blogs/the-daily-feed/archive/2006/11/21/robert-altman-american-master-dies-at-81The Associated Press is reporting that the legendary director died late last night.
Trite though it may sound, there simply are no words to describe the loss of someone as prolific and influential as Altman. While the New York Times is running A.P.'s fine obituary, I feel a little better suited to posting the trailer for my favorite Altman movie, Nashville.
We miss you already, Bob.
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2006-11-21T11:23:25-06:002006-12-01T17:23:16-06:00Alex DelyleSmash My PS3http://thedailyreel.com/news-opinion/blogs/the-daily-feed/archive/2006/11/20/smash-my-ps3Amid the PSP violence and consumer chaos, smashourstuff.com was one of the first people to get their hands on the coveted PlayStation3. Upon purchase, members of the site immediately destroyed the limited supply item in front of all the PS3 mega-fans.
With a nationwide short supply of the PS3, the overwhelming demand led to theme-park-in-August lines and hundreds of must-have buyers waiting for days outside stores. When doors opened last Friday, fanatic consumers pushed and shoved their way to the shelves in several cities to get at the limited supply.
Targeting those who stood in-line long enough to purchase product, this weekend offered an onslaught of consumer chaos and an eruption of PS3 related violence. Top stories included "two armed thugs" shot a man and tried to rob a line of people waiting for the new PlayStation 3 and two people being arrested in Fresno for trampling a crowd of consumers in a parking lot.
All violence aside, smashourstuff took a brand new PSP3 and smashed it to pieces in front of the gaming systems biggest fans. Imagine being that one guy who was next in line after waiting for days, just to be turned away. Then out of the store strolls this fuzzy coat-wearing show-off, who busts your coveted gaming system into bits. Personally, I would have freaked. I’m surprised that no one “Smashed His Stuff” while a mob of adoring PSP3 fans flashed their camera phones to prove it.
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2006-11-20T15:18:19-06:002006-11-20T15:18:19-06:00Felicia Williams
"I liked the idea of creativity trumping the destructive
power of the wind and bringing life to an otherwise barren place," said director Stephen Fitzgerald