We open on a family as they comfort their dog who has delivered a litter of puppies. But the initial warm and fuzzy feeling dissipates as we see the human patriarch of the family carry a blanket, presumably wrapped around the puppies, outside, releasing and abandoning them–except the puppies are represented by small different colored balls which roll haphazardly all about.
One ball winds up being run over by a car. Another rolls in a stream, perhaps drowning. Yet another appears deflated and weak as it rolls in a barren landscape.
A super relates that every year between four and five million homeless dogs and cats die needlessly. A follow-up super urges that pets be spayed or neutered to help prevent suffering and death.
Famed dog trainer Cesar Millan–star of the National Geographic series The Dog Whisperer–then appears on screen with his dog Junior. He asks us to visit the Millan Foundation website, imploring us to “change their future, one dog at a time.”
Both Spanish and English-language versions of this spot came out of independent Hispanic agency Lopez Negrete Communications, Houston. Simon Brand of Milagro Films directed the spot which was shot by DP Gerardo Madrozo.
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