Slog Comments
The Whore of Whoville
1
Can we agree that someone like widow Geisel selling the rights to her dead husband's character to sell fucking cars is not "making money?"
She's obtaining money, sure. But making it?
She's obtaining money, sure. But making it?
2
From the title, I was hoping for something along the lines of Susie Q Who, who fucked far more than two. sadly, it was not to be.
There was a previous cartoon of The Lorax. It was along the lines of other cartoons adaptations of Dr. Seuss's books, and fairly well done. I am disappointed to hear that this has been so badly bastardized, my girls have been looking forward to this one.
There was a previous cartoon of The Lorax. It was along the lines of other cartoons adaptations of Dr. Seuss's books, and fairly well done. I am disappointed to hear that this has been so badly bastardized, my girls have been looking forward to this one.
3
And Denny's breakfasts and NBC television and hotel chains and Yogurt...
But a thneed is a thing that everyone needs.
I'm waiting for my Stihl Lorax Special Edition Wood Chipper to arrive any day now.
But a thneed is a thing that everyone needs.
I'm waiting for my Stihl Lorax Special Edition Wood Chipper to arrive any day now.
5
The Lorax was my favorite book as a kid and these are the reason I will not be seeing this movie...
1. Danny DeVito
2. Taylor Swift
3. The disingenuous corporate hijacking of this story.
Okay, the first two are just jokes. Anyways, now that corporations can no longer deny climate change they just jump on opportunities to greenwash things and they've got us believing that it actually makes a difference. They have successfully convinced Americans that if they drive this car, use CFL's and recycle, they will truly make a difference for the Earth. The idea that it is the consumer who is so wasteful, who is the biggest contributor to global warming, was marketed to us just like everything else. These corporations are profiting more than ever, all the while continuing to pollute more than ever; see emissions trading.
The fact that Mazda has partnered with the story of The Lorax is a fantastic example of all the irony and contradictions within the system of capitalism today.
1. Danny DeVito
2. Taylor Swift
3. The disingenuous corporate hijacking of this story.
Okay, the first two are just jokes. Anyways, now that corporations can no longer deny climate change they just jump on opportunities to greenwash things and they've got us believing that it actually makes a difference. They have successfully convinced Americans that if they drive this car, use CFL's and recycle, they will truly make a difference for the Earth. The idea that it is the consumer who is so wasteful, who is the biggest contributor to global warming, was marketed to us just like everything else. These corporations are profiting more than ever, all the while continuing to pollute more than ever; see emissions trading.
The fact that Mazda has partnered with the story of The Lorax is a fantastic example of all the irony and contradictions within the system of capitalism today.
6
Disney/Pixar/Animated-Hollywood-Drivel always does this shit. They're not in this for entertainment or to tell a story, they're in it to make cash.
If they need the lorax to sell cars they'll do it.
Just like having the Hunchback of Notre Dame live and win the girl.
Just like having Pocahontas and John Smith live happily ever after.
Disney and Pixar and the lot of them destroy everything they touch.
If they need the lorax to sell cars they'll do it.
Just like having the Hunchback of Notre Dame live and win the girl.
Just like having Pocahontas and John Smith live happily ever after.
Disney and Pixar and the lot of them destroy everything they touch.
9
We shouldn't miss the truffula forest for the truffula trees here. The ad tie-in's value to the movie is getting people to see it and Geisel's powerful environmental message, which even a moment's thought reveals as a far, far more powerful positive influence than any transitory, ineffective greenwashing from a car ad. That doesn't make it not distasteful, but overall if it's part of the financial package that got worldwide distribution for a high-dollar Hollywood version largely loyal to Geisel's intent, the benefit makes the harm almost imperceptible.
Sure, the harm is still perceptible, especially to self-congratulatory interwebzies like us. But think of Stephen Colbert. His message is overwhelmingly a beneficial influence, and when he cuts to commercials it's....well, cars and stuff. Does it really threaten his virtue so much to engage happily with Audi as a sponsor of his yacht racing? It seems he's willing to pay a small tacky price to stay independent and be able to say whatever he chooses on his own damn media platform.
Independence. It's what keeps him from having to take a job for somebody else, say, the Stranger....
Sure, the harm is still perceptible, especially to self-congratulatory interwebzies like us. But think of Stephen Colbert. His message is overwhelmingly a beneficial influence, and when he cuts to commercials it's....well, cars and stuff. Does it really threaten his virtue so much to engage happily with Audi as a sponsor of his yacht racing? It seems he's willing to pay a small tacky price to stay independent and be able to say whatever he chooses on his own damn media platform.
Independence. It's what keeps him from having to take a job for somebody else, say, the Stranger....
10
What people fail to understand is that every one of these terrible Dr. Suess movies are part of a long term scientific experiment. With the Lorax hawking SUV's, I think that the final results are pretty conclusive. To wit;
No matter what the provocation, the dead will not rise from their graves to slay those who have wronged them.
Personally, I'm disappointed.
No matter what the provocation, the dead will not rise from their graves to slay those who have wronged them.
Personally, I'm disappointed.
12
With regard to comment number 10 in this thread:
Thanks, Phil*, for the free book:
http://tinyurl.com/7v9yhyx
---I hope it gets people buying the comics collections and/or the next book.
*if that's really you
Thanks, Phil*, for the free book:
http://tinyurl.com/7v9yhyx
---I hope it gets people buying the comics collections and/or the next book.
*if that's really you
15
Skyactiv is a horrible greenwash name for what amounts to marginal improvements in engine and transmission techology.
http://www.mazda.com/mazdaspirit/skyacti…
http://www.mazda.com/mazdaspirit/skyacti…
16
@15, skyactiv is a pretty huge step. 15% increases in fuel economy just by engine changes is a massive leap. 15:1 compression without knocking is astounding. Go to fueleconomy.gov and look at the sum difference between the 2010 Mazda 3 and the 2012. This is not a greenwash, this is a leap in engine technology.
17
Always sorry to see a beautiful artistic vision corrupted (and so ironically to boot) As an environmentalist, I loved the theme of the original Lorax. As a Capitalist, I support, albeit reluctantly, Seuss' widow's right to do what she will with this intellectual property. I'm most disappointed in the American culture that would make this travesty a success. The Lorax has been bought.
18
I'm always sorry to see a beautiful artistic vision corrupted (and so ironically to boot!) As an environmentalist, I loved the theme of the original Lorax. As a Capitalist, I support, albeit reluctantly, Seuss' widow's right to do what she will with this intellectual property. I'm most disappointed in the American culture (parents in particular) that would make this travesty a success. I would never go to this film or patronize it's sponsors. The Lorax has been bought and is shilling for Mazda, Ihop, Pottery Barn etc.
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