GeekSugar

End of an Era: Are the "Get a Mac" Ads Over?

GeekSugar — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:00:35 PDT

It's a sad day for Mac fans everywhere - the famous Get a Mac Campaign we all know and love may be coming to an end. Justin Long sat down to chat with the A.V. Club about his new movie After.Life (which hits theaters tomorrow) and revealed that Apple may be moving on from its familiar Mac vs. PC ads. He says:

You know, I think they might be done. In fact, I heard from John, I think they’re going to move on. I can’t say definitively, which is sad, because not only am I going to miss doing them, but also working with John.

I can't imagine what Apple could possibly come up with next that could top the legacy of Justin Long and John Hodgman, but I guess all good things come to an end eventually. Do you have a favorite Get a Mac ad? See one of my favorites after the break.

Coraline: Spooky and Awe-Inspiring

BuzzSugar — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 13:30:09 PST

It's pretty darn hard not to be impressed by the miniature, handmade world brought to life in Coraline. The painstakingly careful process of making the movie is mind-boggling when you think about it and the end result is extremely cool to watch on a giant screen in 3-D. Stop-motion animation is an art form all its own, and it's truly a delight to watch this strange and sometimes very scary story told using this medium. Whether it's the real-life objects that are moving and talking or the 3-D experience, the fact is that it's remarkably easy to become absorbed into this world. Basically, Coraline is immensely entertaining.

The story, from Neil Gaiman's book, is more intriguing - and way darker - than most animated movies that are ostensibly geared toward children. The look and feel of the visuals only further darkens the tone. Coraline is a clever, no-nonsense girl who just moved into a new home with her parents. Both parents are writers who work from home - but that doesn't mean Coraline has constant companionship as they shoo her away at practically every turn. But one night, Coraline opens a small door in the living room, which leads her to a warm, colorful alternate world in which everything about her life is the same - only better. She has all the food and sweets she desires, her mother and father are engaging and attentive, and they create spectacular things for her. There's always a catch, though, so

If Coraline wishes to stay in this world, she must replace her eyes with buttons and promise to stay with her "Other Mother" forever. The ghosts of children who succumbed to the appeal of their "other" worlds haunt Coraline and warn her not to give in, but by that point, the Other Mother has trapped Coraline and she must figure out how to escape, while helping the ghosts of those children along the way.

Admittedly, I'm not sure what the movie would be like if one were watching it on a small screen, or if the magic would be less potent if it weren't for the 3-D aspect. I wondered at times if I were so engaged in the story because of the visuals, or whether I'd find it so cool without the larger-than-life screen. I really don't know. Still, it doesn't take away from the accomplishment of bringing to jerky, spooky life this miniature world, all blown up.

I spent the duration of the film enraptured by this tale, these characters, and the visual ride I was on, and I spent days afterward excitedly marveling at the wonder of it all. If you already dislike animation and stop-motion, then Coraline won't change that. But if you allow yourself to be pulled in completely, the reward is an eerie-sweet feast for the eyes.

Images courtesy of Focus Features

Link Time! 10/2

BuzzSugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:31:11 PDT

This week's Hump Day Hottie was the absolutely scrumptious Lee Pace. - FilmExperience
On a related note, Swoosie Kurtz talks Pushing Daisies. - The TV Addict
Ugly Betty's new little boy vs. Desperate Housewives's Juanita: Which show has the best new kid? - Popwatch
Why do TV cops have so many issues? - Clique Clack TV
John Hodgman presents. . .SPAMasterpiece Theater, the best viral video of the week. - BoingBoing TV
Finally, an individual challenge on Top Design. - CasaSugar
Check out what Michael Cera and Kat Dennings chose to put on their actual, finite playlists. - Stereogum
Aaaaah! Pop culture pumpkin carving templates! - Pop Candy

John Hodgman Romanticizes the Words of Spam

GeekSugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 06:00:40 PDT

Only sexy geek John Hodgman (AKA PC) could make unsolicited emails offering you prescription drugs sound this romantic! Watch him read actual spam emails for Boing Boing TV's SPAMasterpiece Theater in his honey-toned voice and see if you don't start clicking "Report Spam" just a little bit later.

BuzzSugar's Must Haves For October

BuzzSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:39:47 PDT

I love the Fall and October is the best, what with the changing leaves and Halloween and all. It's also a great time of year for entertainment, so I didn't have any trouble digging up some must-have items for my list. I've included an artist who should definitely be on in the background when the weather gets cold, a funny book to read by the fire (or heater), a scary movie to watch in the safety of your own home (with candy), and very cool TV-to-DVD choices. Ready to check it out? Just hit "Start."

Even the Guy Who Plays a PC Is a Mac

GeekSugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:00:26 PDT

I've outed John Hodgman before for being an iPhone user (scandal), and I have heard rumblings that he is not, in fact, a PC user. Now I've got it straight from the horse's mouth!

He recently came clean and admitted his devotion to Apple:

"I play a PC only on television. I've used Macs since 1984. When I was a kid, I talked my dad into getting the very first Mac and I've been loyal to the brand ever since."

Yep, I think he's my favorite tech star!

Who Is Your Favorite Tech Spokesguy?

GeekSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 04:30:17 PDT

Before he was Apple's hipster Mac representative, I had a little thing for Justin Long (I hear Drew Barrymore does too). Before him, I thought the Dell dude, Ben Curtis - remember him? "Dude, you're gettin' a Dell" - was pretty cute (subsequent marijuana-related arrests notwithstanding). And even though I'm a Mac gal, I totally have a thing for sweet little PC, John Hodgman.

Add to them the bespectacled Verizon guy, Paul Marcarelli, who dutifully asks whether you can hear him now and Alltel Wireless' blond cutie Chad Brokaw, and we've got a nice little collection of geeky crushes, courtesy of the tech advertising industry. Who's your fave?

EXPOSED: PC Uses an iPhone!

GeekSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:00:25 PDT

PC is so busted. If you caught The Daily Show Wednesday night, you would have seen John Hodgman (aka PC) "traveling through time" with an uber geeky time traveling "helmet", discussing the future of the economy. After being chased back to present times by Space Invaders, he was unable to reveal what lies ahead for us and our money. But he did reveal something very interesting: His iPhone. Yes, you heard me right - PC uses an iPhone!

I guess it was inevitable, since everyone and their mother is switching over to the Apple gem. And our very own Mayor here in SF refuses to part with his, even for a second. To check out the clip of John "PC" Hodgman whipping out his very own iPhone (so scandalous), just

See the full clip on The Daily Show website, labeled "Economic Future."

Source

Free Book Download: The Areas of My Expertise

BuzzSugar — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 14:55:46 PST

In the spirit of The Daily Show's best-selling book, America, John Hodgman's The Areas of My Expertise is an extensive compendium of eye-opening facts-except that in this case, the "facts" are almost entirely made up.

You probably know Hodgman from his work as the "resident expert" on the Daily Show or for his role as the PC in the Mac/PC commercials. But he's also a damn funny writer, and right now, you can get the audio book version of The Areas of My Expertise as as a free download at the iTunes store.

I think the offer is for a limited time only though, so hurry! To get a taste of John's humor, check out this "public service announcement" for the book.

Celebrities and Politicians Honor Steve Jobs at Webby Awards

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 22 May 2012 05:22:02 PDT

Famous for its five-word acceptance speeches, last night's Webby Awards honored Steve Jobs in its perfectly succinct fashion. Actors John Hodgman and Justin Long - of the PC and Mac commercials - took the stage, along with Richard Dreyfuss - narrator of the "Here's to the crazy ones . . . " "Think Different" Apple ad - to introduce the video of Hollywood heavyweights, politicians, and even an astronaut, speaking in five-word tributes to the man who changed the world through technology.

Watch as President Obama, Bill Clinton, George Lucas, Bono, Jon Stewart, Buzz Aldrin, and others pay tribute to the late Apple founder.