"Apocalypto" Now; TSC Then and Now
We're heading out in a bit to catch the first matinee of Apocalypto. I'll try to have a review up later today, if you're waffling about whether to see it, and desperate enough to consider my perceptions in the decision process.
In the meantime, am I losing my mind or has the Tractor Supply Company edited its current Christmas TV commercial, the one where the wifely figurines are discussing the fact that they sent their husbandly figurines to deliver something to the local nativity scene without telling them that they'd been signed up to also appear in the tableau. In the earliest version, the last shot is of the husbandly figurines standing next to the manger dressed as shepherds, and one of them disgustedly mutters under his breath something like "Mabel in a manger." But in the current version, he just grunts his displeasure. Anybody else noticed that?
[I have to admit that the first time I saw the first version, I thought TSC was probably on shaky ground, at least with the PC Police. Perhaps I was a bit prescient. Or, perhaps I've just imagined the whole thing.]
Kenneth Turan thought the Mel Movie was too violent. Way too violent. His review was not kind. I'm wondering what you'll have to say, but I'll probably pass on this one anyway.
Posted by: Jim at December 8, 2006 02:02 PMNo 'resurrection' is necessary. The Mayans are a living people that survived the fall of their Mesoamerican empire - more like a collection of city-states - and live to this day in Mexico and Guatemala, often in close proximity the sites of tombs, temples and pyramids built by their ancestors in the centuries before Columbus and Cortez.
They are understandably proud of their heritage ... but with that pride comes an intractable belief in an a popularly held image of their ancestors that is undergoing changes in the continuing development of the archaological record ... changes that many of them are not willing to accept.
Those of us who live in Texas would be familiar with this phenomenon, as we watch the reactions of DRT stalwarts to revelations of some unsavory aspects to the Republic and its heroes ... revelations that don't make them any less heroic to me, just more human, as well.
Posted by: Jeff at December 8, 2006 02:12 PMThey did edit the TSC commercial. I don't think it's quite as funny now, but people still get the point.
Posted by: Stephen Shores at December 8, 2006 02:34 PMJim, I have no idea who Kenneth Turan is or what he said about the movie, but, as you can see by my review, I don't share his perceptions.
Posted by: Eric at December 8, 2006 06:14 PMThe tractor supply commercial was DEFINITELY edited. It was VERY funny before when the man character said " sweet molly in a manger."
But I guess THAT was TOO offensive for some ...so now he just GRUNTS....
Where has America's sense of humor gone???
Posted by: Dennis at December 10, 2006 07:46 AM"Sweet Molly in a manger"...yeah, that was it...I was close...
Where has America's sense of humor gone???
I'm pretty sure it disappeared the same time as our collective common sense.
Posted by: Eric at December 10, 2006 08:57 AMSweet Molly in a manger. . . I noticed it too, however, maybe it was TSC's intent to take it away so you would listen for it and pay attention to their ommercial. It may be non PC, but here goes. . . Merry Christmas :)
Posted by: Michele at December 11, 2006 01:50 AM...maybe it was TSC's intent to take it away so you would listen for it and pay attention to their commercial.
Oh, now there's a unique -- and dangerous -- marketing strategy: appealing to the perceptiveness of TV viewers! Interesting thought... ;-)
Merry Christmas
Thanks, Michele...same to you! (We're all about non-PC here at the Gazette.)
Posted by: Eric at December 11, 2006 06:22 AMAbout the publisher
Random Abbye photos...
"Glove Box Stories" is Back!
Eel on a Wheel
Meteorological Musings
Random Thursday
Is stupidity the Net effect?
More Invaders
Back Yard Birds
Book Review: "The Year of Living Biblically"
Sometimes, you get lucky...
June Sunset
It's Official...
Google's new favicon rocks the design world
Give the Gift of Flame
The Incredible Shrinking Math Skills
The Neighborhood:
West Texas Blogs:
[Midland unless otherwise indicated]
Other Texas Blogs:
The Business:
The Church:
The World:
Well now, not living somewhere that the Tractor Supply Company deems critical enough to advertise to, I would have to opt for "losing your mind"...though I might opt for that anyway.
Re: Apocalypto, can't wait to see the review and to find out if your area is having protests by the Myans as they were saying on the radio that our area would have. Don't ask me where they resurrected those Myans from, mind you, I'm just told that they'll be protesting the film.
Posted by: beth at December 8, 2006 01:40 PM