Apparently someone in Weezer knows a thing or two about viral marketing, because their video for Pork and Beans, which features many of the Internet’s most famous viral video stars doing what they do best, has been passed around the Internet like the plague this past week. In case you missed it:
One of my favorite aspects of Cloverfield was that they didn’t give a lot away in the previews, so I’m going to try and review it without giving a lot away as well, because I think that you should go see it with as little information about it as possible.
Thus, a brief synopsis:
(Warning: Though I’m trying not to, this may contain some small spoilers, so if you want to go in with a pure mind, I suggest you read this after you see the film.)
The Good:
Like I said, I knew little to nothing about this film going in, because they decided to go with vague trailers as opposed to the current trend of using the trailer as a mini-version of the movie.
The ‘Blaire Witch’ style camera work added to the sense of realism, and kept you on edge the whole time.
The pace and tone of the film was so good that for an entire hour and a half, no one in my theater spoke a word. No one. I can’t remember the last time that happened.
The Bad:
The monster had a bit of a scale issue. One minute it’s tearing down building; the next it’s going after individual people. Perhaps it just changed tastes half way through, but it seems like it couldn’t pick a size.
They don’t explain much. Where did the monster come from? Why is it unaffected by our counter-monster measures? Why is the film named Cloverfield?
All in all, I’d say it was about as good as a monster movie can get. They kept you on the edge of your seat the whole time, they kept things somewhat believable, and they didn’t oversell any of it. While I don’t think that this was the ‘Movie of the Year’ by any means (and I’ve already basically give that nomination to Juno), it was a very entertaining film, and I definitely suggest going to see it.
Grade: B+
Theater Worthy: Yes
Note: For a great article on how Cloverfield advertised without advertising, check out MTV’s coverage of the Cloverfield viral-marketing campaign.
As 2006 draws to a close, and 2007 draws near, DYH is going to make the first in a series of annual predictions for the upcoming year. What’s going to be hot, and what’s not? Here’s what I think:
Television is going online. More and more shows are going to be available on demand, streamed directly and instantly into your computer. There’s a reason Google paid more than enough for YouTube, and I think it’s because they plan on using the service to distribute full-length television shows. Instead of ads being a part of the show, users will be able to watch their show uninterrupted, and advertisers will make money through AdSense or a similar service. With the growing popularity of DVR services and place shifting technology (ala Slingbox), it’s pretty obvious that people want to watch their programming when they want, where they want, and without commercials, so it’s up to companies to figure out how to advertise differently. Put it online, add a little viral marketing, make it free, easy and customizable, and you’ve got yourself a winner.
Do it all phones will be the must have gadget. With the Moto Q, Palm, HTC and many more developing phones that are as much computer as they are communicator, the phone that does much more than just talk and photograph is going to rapidly gain in popularity.
Apple is going mainstream. With Intel finally on board, and Apple able to run Windows programs, it’s time for a change. Plus, Vista is looking more and more like a disappointment. Thus, it’s going to be the year of the fruit.
Web 2.0 is going to be ubiquitous. As everything goes social, interactive, user based and community oriented, even Time has acknowledged that people run the Internet now. The Internet is going to become a place where people share their ideas and their opinions, and information is going to be spread to more people in more places than ever before.
So there you have it. Some may be right, most will probably be wrong, but I’ve given it a shot. What do you think? Totally off base or spot on? In a year, it’ll be time to look back and look forward again, but until then, I can’t wait to see what the world brings.
Though Microsoft was rather unsuccessful with their last attempt at viral marketing through their NotForNoobs.com site that ended up hyping the very targeted Razer gaming mouse, they’re at it again, this time with DeathLoomsNear.com. Apparently, on December 1, Microsoft and Razer will announce their latest peripheral device, though I wouldn’t expect anything groundbreaking if I were you. Dear Microsoft: Lack of information on a dark screen does not always equal a viral marketing campaign.
Sony has taken up viral marketing with their new website for the yet to be released Playstation 3. Using what appear to be random symbols, you can decipher the related letters and then click out words that give you access to videos, wallpapers and soundtracks for a few of their upcoming games. Thankfully, if you [...]
