Since getting my first look at the Entourage movie a few weeks ago (a review of which you can find right here), I’ve been asked consistently about the Cadillac in the film’s trailer. The Cadillac Ciel, started out as a concept in 2011, but still screams ‘car of the future’. Check out some more about this amazing vehicle.
Ciel (the French word for sky) is what inspired this noteworthy vehicle. Driving California’s Highway 1 in an open car while the sun sets is the type of journey the Ciel team envisioned during its design. The Ciel’s doors are hinged at the rear to reveal a sweeping view of the dramatic interior, accented with nickel-plated trim, exquisite Italian Olive wood and soft leather. Cadillac’s heritage of advanced technology is evident everywhere you look, beginning with the Ciel’s bold LED headlamps and tail lights.
Simplicity, authenticity and spaciousness were the guiding principles when it came to developing the interior. Seats wrapped in glove-soft leather feature sloping bolsters that allow passengers to slide into them more comfortably. But perhaps the defining element is the incorporation of Italian Olive wood trim throughout. This special wood is a premium yet sustainable material, and in the Ciel came from a single, fallen tree, painstakingly prepared and specially cut.
Advanced technology highlights the Ciel interior. Transparent gauges are framed within a brushed-aluminum housing that has the intricate depth of a high-quality chronograph. A “floating” center console that runs from the front to the back features hidden connectivity portals for each passenger, allowing each to make dinner reservations, check the weather, or even upload photos of the journey via social media. Additional technology includes inductive charging and Bluetooth connectivity. The final touches? Heated and cooled seats, a drawer containing sun lotion, sun glasses and towels, and aromatherapy that is controlled from the rear armrest.
So I was recently invited to a pre-screening of the long awaited Entourage movie, and anticipation could not have been higher. Walking into the theater, you could see the immense diversity in the crowd. It was a blatant reminder that this show has touched ALL sorts of people, of all different demographics, and out of everyone in attendance every single person laughed loudly before the film was over. I’ll start the review by saying, if you’ve never watched the show, you might not want to read this review, however, I’m not spoiling any surprises about the film. But if you’d rather not know anything about anything, this may not be the article for you. (Like my sister, who introduced me to the show in the first place.)
I love it when shows do one of two things… either change their title sequence to something new every season, or they stay absolutely the same throughout the whole run of the show. Entourage chose the latter, and remained with the same basic title sequence the entire time (as the show progressed, actors names were replaced). But this new “movie credits sequence” is an amazing build upon the original, and can almost be surmised as the difference between the show and the movie. “Yeah that was always good, but THIS is way better.”
Some people may be wondering how or way certain things have changed between the show and the film, but the logic behind 99% of the things in the film are there. Things are explained briefly, and quite well, with the exception of a only few minute details. The main plot points are fleshed out with ease and questions people may have after watching the trailer are answered… like if this crew are all so rich, why would one movie effect them in such a big way. But the explanation for their plight makes a good deal of sense.
Of course ‘Entourage’, its essentially a glorified 104 minute episode, but don’t let this dissuade you from seeing it. This isn’t a rehashing of some old story line, or some origin story, or reboot. The story is a new, fresh progression after the events that show concluded with. All the actors, as well as the characters they play are at the top of their game, even though I would say when Ari Gold gets upset, he has had better lines in the show than in the movie. This movie also corrects some of the “issues” people took with the final episode, and if you’ve seen the post credit scene of the series finale, you get a great explanation as to what came of that situation.
Everyone gets their moment to shine, obviously the 5 main characters get their time, and their individual story lines differ, yet weave well between each other. You don’t ever lose interest in anyone’s plight, and everyone in the group feels important. The sub-characters get their moments as well. Mrs. Ari, Lloyd, Dana Gordon, and even Ari’s new assistant have smaller moments that bring out the best in the main characters, and the movie. (Although one important sub-character is straight up missing, and I would have loved to see a little bit more Debbie Mazar). The movie does an unmistakable job of telegraphing EVERYTHING that is backbone of the show in a creative way. This is also mainly done in the very beginning, so you can come into the theater not having watched a single episode, and understand who everyone is, what they’ve been through, and essentially why they behave the way they behave.
The natural progression in the characters is easy to see, and how well they’re doing for themselves is appropriate for the amount of time that has passed. I have to say though that the reveal of just how successful Turtle has become, is AMAZING. The basic elements of the show are still there, at no point do you think “They had to reformat that from the show, because this is a movie and things have to be different”, everything just fits, and well.
Music has always been a big part of this show. From breaking new artists, to brining classic songs back to the forefront of peoples memories, to taking tracks from obscurity to the limelight. The soundtrack of this movie is one that I would buy with no hesitation, although, the frequency at which songs appeared in the movie could have been a bit more dense. There just wasn’t as much as I would have wanted of a good thing. All the music was well placed, however there are two songs in particular that could not have been chosen better. (One, when someone is “drugged”, and the second, when a new car is taken for a first drive) Those two moments in particular are amplified immaculately by the music that supports them.
The one interesting thing that I noticed during the screening was, you could tell by the laughter in certain areas who is familiar with the show, and who is being introduced to these characters for the first time via the movie. For instance, if you’ve followed the show, you know Drama cooks for the group on a regular basis, but the way him cooking for Vince is presented in the movie, makes it somewhat comical to the newcomers. It’s just somewhat easy to tell who has known these characters for years, and who hasn’t. There are a multitude of tiny references fans will appreciate, but theres a specific scene that lends itself to both parties better than the rest. During that scene, if you’re a fan of the show, you KNOW what comes next, and you’re quite happy to watch it all over again. Although it is a MAJOR plot point of how things wind up in the show, all the people watching the movie without knowing the characters specific and detailed history have no clue about whats about to transpire, and that makes it fun for both parties.
Doug Ellin made some great writing choices, and even includes things about characters backgrounds we’ve NEVER seen before… for instance, (and this isn’t a spoiler) Vince was “found” by Ari after doing a Mentos commercial, its referenced multiple times in the show, but we never see that commercial. You’ll see it in this movie, and its glorious. There’s video “young” Drama, A photo of Eric working at his pizza place, and you FINALY get the reveal of Turtles full name. (Which is like 10 years coming).
As would be expected, the cameos are out of control in the best way possible. In my personal opinion, TI has the BEST one, followed swiftly by Armie Hammer. In a few case however, there are so many short cameos that they can be easy to miss. (Like Common). There is an incredible 4 minute sequence early in the film where almost EVERY single memorable cameo from the show appears in the same place, at the same time, and the reasoning behind very much holds up. It stops you from wondering “Why would Gary Bussey, Mark Cuban, Pharrell, and Bob Saget, ever be in the same location at the same time?” But that scene works so will, it’s irrelevant. I do have to say though that I feel like too many people missed the Warren Buffet cameo. (Which I feel like folks would have gasped at even though he was shown in the trailer.) The new characters are an awesome addition to the show, and Haley Joel Osmit is great. He’s a character you’re just supposed to loathe, and he does such a good job playing his role, you WILL. Ronda Rousey proves that she’s as good of an actress as she is a fighter, Mark Whalburg is great as usual, and I cannot state this enough, T.I. and his wife Tiny are the best cameo of this film.
So what’s bad about this movie? My only real complaint is that people laugh SO hard at the jokes, you miss whatever else happens afterwards. Which normally isn’t a big deal, but at one point, theres a major plot point that I missed because the audience was cracking up so hard at what came before it. I missed the explanation for something crucial, because a joke in the movie was just way too funny. But other than that, the rest of my criticisms are just minor gripes.
There are some odd, and unspecified time jumps (specifically towards the end), but thats just an attempt to wrap things up in time for the end of the movie. However, if your very first time jump that states in writing “8 Months Later”, you should explain how long the gaps in time are when you make other clear jumps forward. Also, the movie ends on a great note, however, you no choice but to STAY for the mid credits scene. When the credits first roll, things seem very unresolved, there seem to be tons of lose ends. But when you stay for the (quite lengthy) mid credits scene, 99% of those same issues are touched on and cleared up.
All in all its amazing, (or as “The Weekly Planet” guys say “Best Movie Ever”) and the film brings a new chunk of the story to the Entourage cannon, and leaves things slightly open for a sequel. Because this movie was completed longer ago than you would expect, some of the cultural references are a bit off. There’s a reference to ‘The Avengers’ that seemed a bit off, but its not that big of a deal. If you’re a fan of the show, there’s nothing you will miss. Every aspect what made this story great is in the mix, friendship, loyalty, naked titties, comedy and a great deal of heart. Go check it out on June 3rd.
Warner Brothers just released a new trailer for the cinematic adaptation of the hit HBO series “Entourage.” In what looks like an extremely fun, extended episode of the show, Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) and the boys continue to navigate the choppy waters of Hollywood as Vincent Chase (Adrien Grenier) declares he wants to become a director. But enough about the plot! The trailer features plenty of bikini-clad ladies, super-cars and yachts — all of which will undoubtedly lure the show’s faithful fanbase into theaters. The movie also promises myriad celebrity cameos. Some standouts include Warren Buffett and Ronda Rousey, but there are literally too many to name here.
The holiday season is a time for gifts, surprises, and good times with good friends. It should only make sense that the first official look at the Entourage movie should be released just in time for Christmas. The trailer-within-a-trailer style preview gives us everything we’ve come to love about the 8 year running show, and more. Check the method.
In general, most people are very complex and can exhibit different personality traits at different times. But one can also say that there tends to be two distinct groupings in societies’ power structures: Those who can be characterized as “normal,” and those who view the world through a prism heavily influenced by psychopathy and sociopathy.
My take (by trying to understand the world around me) is that the great majority of people operate under the “normal” approach, when it comes to power-plays and relationships. A very small minority could be characterized as high-functioning sociopaths and/or psychopaths.
And it’s not that the majority is “normal” as in not being afflicted by all kinds of personality, psychological, and psychiatric disorders… If you watch enough TV in the U.S., you’ll be bombarded with advertisement for all kinds of psychotropic drugs.
By “normal,” what I mean is that people tend to say and do things in accordance to their real thoughts, emotions, views, ideas, beliefs. In other words, in a “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” mode.
By contrast, the high-functioning psychopath is “characterized primarily by a lack of empathy and remorse, shallow emotions, egocentricity, and deceptiveness.” And because of it, they tend to rule the world. They rise to the highest levels of power in politics, and business.
If you are ambitious and choose to get involved in power-plays, the first thing you need to recognize is that you have to leave your values, emotions, ideals, and most high-minded human traits, “at the door” (as it were), if you want to have a shot to become the “top dog.”
There is an angle to everything you say and do; to every relationship you choose to “nurture.” Like a chameleon, you adapt your message to your audience, to your environment; you are folksy with folksy folks, and you are high-brow and educated and a little snobbish when you are with the snobs.
You become so good at it, that in every circle people can’t stop pointing out what a “nice guy” you are, and how smart you are, and how you connect with people with such ease.
But to you, it’s all mechanical; a game. There are no emotions involved at all–God forbid.
In politics, I observe how this phenomena works so perfectly, both on the left and the right. On the right the useful idiots (the normal people) are the end-of-days religious fundamentalists, and the nativists, and the racists, and the nationalists. All acting out of their true beliefs and emotions, and being manipulated by the sociopathic ruling class.
On the left, they are those who earnestly go about trying to respond to every absurdity coming out of the loony right-wing. Refuting every stupid and absurd comment with facts, and studies, and statistics. And basking in the glory of being right about the issues, about the science, about the empirical evidence. All done in a mainly ineffective and powerless echo chamber. But ultimately, also being manipulated by the same sociopathic ruling class.
I’ve been in sales, marketing, consulting, advertising, and technology for years. I’ve been involved with business associations, chambers of commerce, community organization, non-profits.
I’ve seen one recurring thing in all those environments, when it comes to the naiveté of well-meaning people who have ambition to get ahead, or get promoted, or get a raise. I’ve had this conversation many times… I ask them “So you want to be promoted? And you think that because you are really good at what you do, and knowledgeable, and are never late to work, etc., that you should be noticed and that a promotion should be coming your way?”
They look at me perplexed, like saying “Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do?” Obviously, they are a lost cause, but I try my best to leave them with something to think about: “If you want a promotion, and a position of leadership (and more responsibility) and a raise, then you have to play the ‘power-play,’ the ‘political game.’ Everything you do has to have an angle; every conversation; every project you take on; everything you volunteer to. Who knows about what you’re doing, about your successes, about your contribution? How are you going to ‘protect’ the organization, and above all, how your boss, your supervisor, the owner of the company, the president of the organization, is going to personally benefit by giving you a promotion?”
I’ve had similar conversations with lots of people, and invariably, sometimes they are appalled that it should come down to those considerations. They proudly say, “I don’t like to play those games… With me, it’s-what-you-see-is-what-you-get.” And so it will be. If you don’t understand the concept of how to acquire power, then you’ll never have it.
It has little to do with how right you are about anything.
The NBA 2K12 TV spots have been getting funnier and funnier, my new favorite is the 30 second battle between Drizzy Drake and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. Check it out below.
Eminem has been on a roll for the last year, coming back harder and stronger than most people who had fallen into his predicament. His most recent release is the music video for “Space Bound”. The song is about Em letting his feelings for a woman get the best of him (again.) The video features porn-star Sasha Grey, who has been breaking out in to different acting roles as her career has progressed. Most recently she shared the screen with the stars of the hit HBO show Entourage, and in the season finale, she was even in the same episode as Eminem… (That might have been the real reason Em punched out Vinnie Chase in hotel party.) But all in all, it’s a solid video for a heartfelt song. Check the method below.
Once upon a time, I knew I wanted to start about blog that revolved around the things and experiences I found interesting, and sharing those things with the world. The blog had no real format, or direction, but when it came to interesting things, I knew the HBO show Entourage was number one on the list. (The very first post EVER on this blog was about Entourage on DVD.) So its only logical that as the show is coming to an end, that I post up whatever new info I can find about it. The final season debuts on July 24th, and the teaser for it dropped recently on HBO. It’s a simple look, and the music (‘High For This‘ by The Weeknd) makes everything a bit somber. I have to admit, I even got a little sad the first time I saw it. But check the teaser below.
Its quite true when people always say art imitates life. I just never thought I’d find a parallel as intense as this one. Above is a clip from the hit HBO show Entourage, in which the main character, movie star Vinnie Chase is forced to do an overseas commercial for an energy drink. In the episode, he says he’s totally opposed to the idea of it, and is reminded that the commercial will never show up on U.S. airwaves. Below, is a set of commercials from John Travolta, at about the same age Vinnie Chase is in the TV show, and based on his moves in the commercials, I can bet he too was assured that these commercials would never see American shores. Too bad YouTube came along.
So, while in L.A., I was chillin with my good friend and business partner, and we decided that the clubs were a bit boring. We’ve both clubbed a bit too much for the weekend, and we were over the scene for the night, so we decided to go back to my hotel and kick it with some folks. In the process, I’m pretty sure I created one of the most ridiculous drinking games I’ve come up with in the last few years. The HBO hit series Entourage has been one of my favorite shows for quite some time, so we started watching and put some rules into effect. With the help of a set of drinking dice that were labeled with phrases like “Sip”, “Drink 2 Cups”, “Bottoms Up”, “Drink Half Cup”, “No Drinks”, “Drink 2 Cups”, and “Drink At Will”, I devised one simple rule. Every time Ari Gold says the word “F*ck” or any derivative of said obscenity, we roll the dice, and drink as instructed. We started with season 5, and by the second episode, all parties involved were plastered, and by episode 4 we ran out of liquor. All in all it was a fun night, and I’m fairly certain that the next time I’m taking a break from work on the weekends, I’m sure to play the game again. And if your feeling a bit frisky, but you don’t have the dice we used, just take a simple shot of whatever you have whenever Mr. Gold utters the F word. Here’s a sample, enjoy the results.
I’m almost 90% certain my very first post on this blog was about the release of one season of Entourage. In that post I put it out there that Entourage is one of my favorite shows on television (now approaching its final season), and one of the reasons this HBO hit is one of the highest on my list is because of Ari Gold. I could write for half a day to describe Ari, but I’ll skip that, weather your familiar with the character or not, below are 25 of his most popular quotes from the show. (NOT necessarily my top 25, but the 25 most popular. If you have any to add, feel free, I’d love to hear your favorites.)
Ari Gold: Call me Helen Keller because I’m a fucking miracle worker!
Ari Gold: Listen to me, Lloyd, do you want to make it in this business or fold shirts at a Chinese laundromat? Pledge.
Ari Gold: Listen, Lloyd, I want you to put all my files, folders, binders, *everything* into a box! If you find a used condom, an executioner’s mask, and a fucking spike paddle, don’t think, just pack that bitch! Chop suey!
Ari Gold: You know what they feed people on an indi set, Vinnie? Nothing! They don’t give you a trailer. They tell you to go sit on an apple box. Ever try to bang an extra on an apple box?
Ari Gold: I’m ready to go here, all right? It’s like R. Kelly at recess. Honey, honey, what are you doing? Are you kidding me? Baby!
Ari Gold: You can have it if you want to live in Agora fucking hills, and go to group therapy, but if you want a Beverly Hills mansion, a country club membership, and nine weeks a year in a Tuscan villa, then I’m gonna need to take a call when it comes in at noon on a motherfucking Wednesday.
Ari Gold: We are gonna get drunk with Russell Crowe and we’re gonna head-butt some goddamn kangaroos.
Ari Gold: Smoke more weed, Turtle. Seriously, smoke more weed.
Ari Gold: My assistant is to be gang-raped by a gang of one.
Ari Gold: That was a good speech, Lloyd. If I was 25 and liked cock, we could be something.
Ari Gold: Tell Drama he’s on the top of my list of things to do today, along with inserting needles in my cock!
Ari Gold: Dana I have never cheated on my wife, not since she became my wife, but if you wanna jerk me in the car now, I’m game.
Ari Gold: Mohamed Ali came back once too often too, Terence.
Ari Gold: I knew you liked dick, Babs, but i didn’t realize you were a cocksucker.
Ari Gold: It’s like high school. You can’t fuck the prom queen until she finds out her best friend jerked you off underneath the bleachers!
Ari Gold: You fire a guy, you create a rival. You fire a woman, you create a housewife.
Ari Gold: I drove to work today in an $80,000 Mercedes and I’m going home in a prop car from Fast and the Furious… my life is over!
Ari Gold: Fuck the phones, Lloyd! Unless Carmen Electra calls for an emergency titty-fuck, don’t answer!
Ari Gold: I would say hug it out, but I don’t want you drawing wood.
Ari Gold: All right, when you talk to Dana, tell her I’m going to take the pictures from Cancun, and start a website called imahollywoodexecutivewhore.com and there will be no password or fee required, and I will take out a full page ad in the LA Times promoting it. Tell her I want a fucking call back.
Ari Gold: Fuck you. Where’d you hear that, Friendster?
Ari Gold: (golfing): Rusty cunt bucket! FUCK!
Ari Gold: You will come back stronger then ever. Like Lance Armstrong. But with two balls.
Ari Gold: No Indies E! Think of it as the holocaust, never again!
Ari Gold: Fuck Richard Roper. You know I went to college with him? Yeah when he was pledging we used to tie beer cans around his nuts and make him walk across campus. I think last night was payback.
And if those weren’t enough, OR your not already familiar with HBO’s super agent… Here’s a little more.
So everyone who’s ever chilled and watched the HBO show Entourage with me, knows that when I want to be annoying, I can recite almost every word from any episode. (Yeah, its like that). So when I came across the new Need For Speed ads featuring Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara, I was in awe. The ads feature the boys (Drama and Turtle) from Entourage, somewhat in character while being valets at a fancy hotel. The guys get to drive the worlds fastest cars at 5 MPH, and while never really saying each other’s names, if your a fan of the show, you can see their characters come out. Check the method.
Just like many of my good friends, and millions of people all over the world, I too am a huge ‘Entourage’ fan. The newest and 7th season many people had believed to be the last, and as season is almost half way over, the events taking place seem to signify that. Story lines seem to be coming to a head, and the number of celebrity guest stars per episode is at an all time high (Episode 5, “Bottoms Up” had more celebrity guests than ALL of season 1, and bigger guest stars such as Queen Latifah, Jessica Simpson, and Eminem are all alleged guests on this season) People hoping for more spoilers here will be sourly disappointed because I don’t have any. All I do know is that with all the upped ante of season 7, the announcement of season 8 just make me even more excited. The 8th and final season is said to consist of only 6 episodes (the shortest season of the series), and start summer of 2011. Entourage’s 8th season will tie up every loose end in the show, and possibly even set the premise for a movie.
As many people could probably figure, I happen to be an enormous ‘Entourage’ fan. The 1.20.2010 release of the mashup entitled “Pimpin All Around The World” (that can be listened to here) was my formal way of announcing how much time I spend watching that show while working at home, or when traveling. I’m even happier now that the most recent 6th season will be arriving on DVD 6.22.2010, and the 7th season is scheduled to begin sometime during early/mid summer of this year.
Ciel (the French word for sky) is what inspired this noteworthy vehicle. Driving California’s Highway 1 in an open car while the sun sets is the type of journey the Ciel team envisioned during its design. The Ciel’s doors are hinged at the rear to reveal a sweeping view of the dramatic interior, accented with nickel-plated trim, exquisite Italian Olive wood and soft leather. Cadillac’s heritage of advanced technology is evident everywhere you look, beginning with the Ciel’s bold LED headlamps and tail lights.
Advanced technology highlights the Ciel interior. Transparent gauges are framed within a brushed-aluminum housing that has the intricate depth of a high-quality chronograph. A “floating” center console that runs from the front to the back features hidden connectivity portals for each passenger, allowing each to make dinner reservations, check the weather, or even upload photos of the journey via social media. Additional technology includes inductive charging and Bluetooth connectivity. The final touches? Heated and cooled seats, a drawer containing sun lotion, sun glasses and towels, and aromatherapy that is controlled from the rear armrest.
As many people could probably figure, I happen to be an enormous ‘Entourage’ fan. The 1.20.2010 release of the mashup entitled “Pimpin All Around The World” (that can be listened to 
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