We open on two guys looking under a car hood, each without a clue as to what mechanical malfunction has stricken their vehicle. We hear the engine trying to start but something’s not right. “Is that the, a…,?” says one gent to the other.
“I don’t know.”
The original man observes that there’s “supposed to be something” over there, somewhere in the engine compartment.
A gal then appears who presumably was turning the key in the ignition. She wonder why the two guys are looking inside the vehicle’s trunk.
A supered message then comes on screen, noting that these men aren’t very “mechanical-ish,” and then asking viewers a question in the form of a website address: whatsyourish.com.
Each “ish” definition generates a 25 cent donation to the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA).
Josh Miller of Little Minx directed this and three other spots in the JFNA campaign for agency Taxi, New York.
Review: Director Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked”
It's the ultimate celebrity redemption tour, two decades in the making. In the annals of pop culture, few characters have undergone an image makeover quite like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Oh, she may have been vengeful and scary in "The Wizard of Oz." But something changed — like, REALLY changed — on the way from the yellow brick road to the Great White Way. Since 2003, crowds have packed nightly into "Wicked" at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre to cheer as the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba rises up on her broomstick to belt "Defying Gravity," that enduring girl-power anthem.
How many people have seen "Wicked"? Rudimentary math suggests more than 15 million on Broadway alone. And now we have "Wicked" the movie, director Jon M. Chu's lavish, faithful, impeccably crafted (and nearly three-hour) ode to this origin story of Elphaba and her (eventual) bestie — Glinda, the very good and very blonde. Welcome to Hollywood, ladies.
Before we get to what this movie does well (Those big numbers! Those costumes!), just a couple thornier issues to ponder. Will this "Wicked," powered by a soulful Cynthia Erivo (owner of one of the best singing voices on the planet) and a sprightly, comedic, hair-tossing Ariana Grande, turn even musical theater haters into lovers?
Tricky question. Some people just don't buy into the musical thing, and they should be allowed to live freely amongst us. But if people breaking into song delights rather than flummoxes you, if elaborate dance numbers in village squares and fantastical nightclubs and emerald-hued cities make perfect sense to you, and especially if you already love "Wicked," well then, you will likely love this film. If it feels like they made the best "Wicked" movie money could buy — well, it's... Read More