Stealth Marketing
By Kevin
I frequently go on to Apple Trailers to look out for interesting movies that are upcoming or that I've been missing out. They offer a good mix of films from Hollywood as well as some independent film makers. Recently, The Joneses caught my attention. Their own movie site is not exactly ready yet but here's the synopsis from IMDb:
"The Joneses", a social commentary on our consumerist society. Perfect couple Steve and Kate Jones, and their gorgeous teen-aged children Jenn and Mick, are the envy of their posh, suburban neighborhood filled with McMansions and all the trappings of the upper middle class. Kate is the ultimate trend setter - beautiful, sexy, dressed head-to-toe in designer labels. Steve is the admired successful businessman who has it all: a gorgeous wife, big house and an endless supply of high-tech toys. Jenn and Mick rule their new school as they embody all that is hip and trendy - cool clothes, fast cars and the latest gadgets. But as the neighbors try to keep up with the Joneses, none are prepared for the truth about this all- too perfect family.
The Joneses
Obviously, the title comes from the English catchphrase, Keeping up with the Joneses but the idea is interesting. The Joneses is a perfect family made up to market goods to the upscale gated community by a stealth marketing organization. I do suspect that big companies does this sort of things at times but probably more through viral marketing than to consciously employ people to befriend potential customers and introduce goods to them. Whether this is considered ethical, is perhaps what the movie is exploring.
In a sense, the movie calls for a reflection on how social forces are increasingly shaping our economic lives, and at the same time questioning the value of relationships.
Just the Food
By Kevin
Food for the ears
Of the list of links to ERPZ's Partners, there is an 'odd-one-out'; the sites linked to are mostly blogs and personal sites of friends of mine but this particular one is a forum - HeadphoneHaven.
I'm no audiophile but Danny (aka ahdui) who runs the forum would proudly announce that true blue audiophiles are no 'true blue' in its purest sense. They'd be bike enthusiast as well as food freaks who go around the island hunting for great food, nice bike shops, not to mention audio shops that don't con people's money by proclaiming Gold is better than Copper (an insider joke). And for that you'll have to applaud Danny's efforts to deliver objective food reviews at his forum.
Although I believe Peking Duck should be eaten with cucumber, and that Marche's Rosti are still better, I enjoyed my post-dinner ice cream at Ice Cream Gallery. Besides loving potatoes and believing that hawker center western food stalls should not be perceived as serving pseudo-western meals, Danny's reviews covers food from a wide variety of places and he tries his best not too be overly positive about the food he is reviewing - which means he's wasting his calories on yucky food for you rather than have you fabricate positive remarks of yucky food you've consumed.
So do visit HeadphoneHaven and become a member if you'd love to join in the discussion; for the food if not for the audio.
Best Before
By Kevin
I remember a time when I opened a Kit-Kat Chunky in my fridge to consume because I was feeling a little hungry and that chocolate bar seem to have been lingering around for a really long time (a sign that no one in the family claims ownership to it; besides, my Dad is a real sucker for chocolates and if it was his it would be gone by then). Unfortunately after eating half a bar I saw the 'Best Before' date on the wrapper I was holding and to my horror the date passed a month ago.
.jpg "KitKat")
No Expiry
I promptly discarded the wrapper with whatever left of the chocolate bar and pray I wouldn't suffer a stomachache later. Fortunately it didn't happen and for a while, I wonder how chocolates really turn bad since they are so sweet. In fact, I now realise 'Best Before' dates are really not so important per se, after reading Lifehacker's Read and Understand Your Food Expiration Labels; I'm convinced we shouldn't take those dates that seriously. The suggestion that canned food can last forever, unfortunately, is quite shocking...
Big Bang Theory
By Kevin
Series Title Card
Recommended by Danny (aka ahdui) from HeadphoneHaven, I started watching a couple of episodes of the US sitcom, The Big Bang Theory and was positively intrigued by the show's ability to amuse with its exaggeratedly geeky characters. The show is packed with factual tidbits usually delivered by the Physics genius (and also a child prodigy), Sheldon Cooper, portrayed by Jim Parsons.
I must say Jim Parsons really does a good job portraying Sheldon. The series is full of sophisticated humour that sets it apart from IT Crowd, a British sitcom also portraying nerd/geeks. Unfortunately IT Crowd focuses on more slapstick humour and the nerd/geek-types are unimaginably socially inept to the extent you wonder how they managed to grow up and be in the circumstances they are in. Big Bang Theory offers characters who are just plain super intelligent and more plausible real-world situation for nerd/geek-types. It cast doubts on the advantages of being intellectually superior over most people.
While it makes sophisticated jokes that sometimes might be closer to heart for undergraduates in the various fields of sciences (especially Physics), the series is made for the general audience and most ordinary people would appreciate the humour enough to have a great laugh for each episode. I think it's a great sitcom though I haven't really decided if it is better than 'Friends'. I must say it is way smarter though.