The X-Entertainment Blog!



	You are all doomed. Why not surrender? We might let you live.

07/18/2006: Monster House Mystery Box?

Here’s my latest – the “You Gotta Believe Me Screamstakes,” a promotion for Monster House where interested parties can a win a trip to a theme park. Hrm. Digging this one. The visuals are partly inspired by pictures of the Wildwood boardwalk, the music is a custom riff on the disco theme from Friday the 13th: Part 3, and the voice-over was done by David Kaye, better known to many as one of the few men to bring Megatron to life. A lot of me in this. Click here to watch, but keep in mind that it’s a really choppy, grainy encode that blows. I’ll try to get a better version up later. To see the full beauty, go watch Jimmy Neutron or something.

Posted by Matt. E-mail me!

Discussion Thread: 87 comments

1 2 Next »

First?

Ghosted by spaz307 @ 07/18/2006 9:02 PM EDT

Deuce is deuce!
#2

Ghosted by Deuce @ 07/18/2006 9:06 PM EDT

Have you seen the film? Is it any good? I was gonna go this weekend.

Ghosted by kb @ 07/18/2006 9:49 PM EDT

Oh, you did this? I saw this yesterday when I was at my sister’s apartment, recuperating from a twisted knee and sprained wrist I gained after falling off my bike going to work on Sunday. Yes, they both still hurt, but it’s better than yesterday.

To get back to the point, the actual ad was pretty cool. I forget when I saw it – I was out of it for a lot of the afternoon due to the aspirin I took to help the swelling go down. There IS a lot of Wildwood to it – the Ferris Wheel even sort of looks like the Giant Ferris Wheel in Wildwood looks like.

Ghosted by starwenn @ 07/18/2006 9:53 PM EDT

The Ferris Wheel specifically is based on Wildwood’s.

Ghosted by Matt @ 07/18/2006 9:56 PM EDT

I was going to post some sort of comment reprimanding the first post, because it’s no secret that we all hate that, and then I read his/her name. That about sums it up.

Oh, and a quick dive into trying to Analise the "first" phenomenon with gen-Y’ers: Most of you are computer geeks that suck at sports, and thus never played competitive sports, and thus look to trying to be the first to comment on blog postings as a makeshift replacement for real competition. Any real psychology students want to take a crack at it?
(By the way: I’m not trying to harsh on any computer geeks out there, I’m a gen=X computer geek that was never very good at sports, but that didn’t keep me from trying. I proudly road the bench for 3 seasons of High School soccer, started for the mens volleyball team, and love frisbee, snowboarding, and many another thing outside of sports, I just hate when some one has nothing more to contribute then "first." Oh, and spaz, the "?" just makes it even more pathetic.)

Ghosted by Mad Cow @ 07/18/2006 10:01 PM EDT

Ha, I saw this 5 times today at least. No idea you were behind it.

Ghosted by Wow @ 07/18/2006 10:04 PM EDT

Sorry, now that my rage has subsided, I like the add, really like the voice-over. Question: Matt, do people actually win these things, and do you, as a director/producer of the spots have any knowledge of the winnings? And does it bum any of your relitives out that they are automatically disqualified from such things because of your success?

Ghosted by Mad Cow @ 07/18/2006 10:12 PM EDT

Hey now, let’s not murder Spaz. A lot of people "first post."

I don’t hear about the winners, but anyone can mail in for a list of them. At best I’d hear that such-and-such promotion got a high/low number of entries as a barometer of its success, but I’m not really in that loop.

Ghosted by Matt @ 07/18/2006 10:15 PM EDT

Just watched the ad, and I must say it was pretty good. Being from California, I don’t know much about Wildwood beyond Matt’s article about Castle Dracula. Actually, that’s really all I know about Wildwood.

Ghosted by Thomas @ 07/18/2006 10:17 PM EDT

This is Blog #800!!!!

Pretty nice ad, Matt.

I got a poll now too, commercials today, which ones do you like/hate?

Like: The recent WTF? ads for Red Stripe beer.

Hate: Head-on: Apply directly to the forehead. Head-on: Apply directly to the forehead. Head-on: Apply directly to the forehead. Head-on: Apply directly to the forehead. Head-on: Apply directly to the forehead. Head-on: Apply directly to the forehead.

Ghosted by Invader Norbert @ 07/18/2006 10:25 PM EDT

Matt – Quick question:

Were you the man behind that Kids Choice Awards commercial where Jack Black says something along the lines of "Nick nick nick nicka sucka dick shick dick a licka licka lick" over and over with two of his clones and dances around?

Another question: What is in that Monster House Mystery Box. I’m dying to know.

Ghosted by Renaldo @ 07/18/2006 10:46 PM EDT

I love the announcer in this commercial. "You and your family WILL fly to a thrill filled theme park…" and "you WILL spend 3 days roaring on roller coasters". If you win you’ve got no choice, you WILL be the grand prize winner and you WILL enjoy every minute of it!!

Ghosted by Ryle @ 07/18/2006 10:53 PM EDT

Hahaha, Mad Cow, I always wanted to know that too!

Matt, I hope you love your job, because it seems really cool, if not really tiring too.

Ghosted by Denise @ 07/18/2006 10:54 PM EDT

You just can’t get away from the allure of those mystery boxes, can you?

Ghosted by Jessica Marie @ 07/18/2006 11:04 PM EDT

Hah! Good call, Jessica Marie. That’s the first thing that came to mind when I watched the commercial. Monster House, indeed.

Very cool, Matt. This is the first time I’ve had a genuine emotional investment in advertisement since they hanged the Cookie Crook.

Seriously, he was being chased by an English cop. What did you think was going to happen to him when he finally got caught?

Ghosted by Jedoc @ 07/18/2006 11:22 PM EDT

Ooooohh…. impressive! Makes me anxious for Halloween.

Though while on the subject of Megatron and promotional materials… did anyone else wet themselves a little bit over the Transformers movie trailer?

Ghosted by Mystie @ 07/18/2006 11:22 PM EDT

Just re-watched the "Transformers" trailer. It looks like it’s going to be visually impressive, but it’s being directed by Michael Bay (Armageddon, Pearl Harbor), so I’m not expecting too much story-wise.

Ghosted by Thomas @ 07/19/2006 12:15 PM EDT

Mad Cow-

That was really mean. Right on the nose, but still really, really mean.

Actually I tried to post again commenting on the topic (for once!), but GreyMatter wouldn’t let me.

Regarding my moniker, I got that nickname in college. I deserved it when I got it, but I like to think I grew out of it. I still sport it proudly because it reminds me of good times, despite the negative connotation. I moved into fraternity, and I was an only child. Let me just say that moving into cramped quarters where you actually had to share was a definite change. I was a spoiled brat, but I like to believe I changed for the better.

In any case, it’s the very first time I ever had the first post. I apologize for apparently offending you so deeply. And if that doesn’t satisfy you, I guess that’s too fucking bad.

Matt-

It’s a cool ad. Did you get to spend any time talking with David Kaye? He wasn’t my favorite Megatron. That will probably always be Frank Welker, unless they get someone really incredible for the new movie. Even so, I wonder if he had any neat stories about taping Transformers or any of the other stuff he’s done.

Ghosted by spaz307 @ 07/19/2006 12:39 PM EDT

Calling firsties is a more valuable contribution than picking on fellow posters IMHO.
Matt, you seriously never fail to amaze me. Congrats on the great work.
I enjoy the "Hooray Beer!" commercials as well. I also like the latest incarnation of the Geico gecko ("Exclusivity!") and that Levi’s ad with the high speed chase. As far as hating, I’m getting quite sick of Lady In the Water ads.

Ghosted by squee4242 @ 07/19/2006 12:58 PM EDT

Ghosted by squee4242 @ 07/19/2006 1:01 AM EDT

Oh yeah, I would recognize that Funky Friday Fanfare anywhere. No bullcrap, I was rocking out to it today (ever since you pointed out that the jukeboxes were off to the side here on the blog). E.Claire liked that one and the beginning of the Teen Wolf track. Another proud paternal moment.

No real opinion on Spaz-gate. Live and let post, I say.

Ghosted by The Manimal @ 07/19/2006 1:08 AM EDT

How did you put this together? The nut in the present box costume was self-explanatory, but here I see CGI, elaborate staging, MEGATRON….did you direct this spot? Draw storyboards? Pitch ideas?

Did you hold power over all those graphics artists? Must have felt good….

Ghosted by Mars @ 07/19/2006 1:24 AM EDT

Oh damn that rocks. Remeber that old nick Halloween ad where it would do like a 3D trick or treat walk? For back in those days, it was a really sweet concept Nice work, Matt

Ghosted by Eddie Lightning Frog @ 07/19/2006 3:38 AM EDT

I’m with Mars.
I think I asked something along those lines the last time you presnted one of your ads, but I haven’t lost interest since. I want to know what your involvement is.

Oh, and since we’re all picking on spaz307 and Mad Cow, Analise add.

Oh, and since Transformers is among the subjects, I’d like to pick on Michael Bay, as well.

Oh, and since I’m picking, I started two sentences in a row with "Oh, and since" and thought this would be the best way of acknowledging this weak phrasing without putting any thought into rewriting the aforementioned sentences.

Ghosted by Tougi @ 07/19/2006 3:56 AM EDT

Ugh, another thing that sucks about being in the UK all summer- have to wait until August 11th to see this movie. Gonna go shoot myself in the brain

Ghosted by Eddie Lightning Frog @ 07/19/2006 5:18 AM EDT

First off, spaz307, apology totally accepted, and I hope you accept mine as well. I’m sorry. Thanks for taking it with some humor. Some other time I’ll let you know the history of "Mad Cow".

In my defense, I was already grumpy, I had woken up at 3:42 am (Germany time) because of my stupid allergies, and couldn’t sleep again even though I knew I had to get up in 2 hours for work, so I thought I’d look on X-E. And then I saw one of my personal pet peeves staring me in the face and went off the handle. So…yeah, I like to think of myself as a half decent guy when I’ve got a more then 4 hours of sleep. Once again, sorry to any I’ve offended. Oh, and Touqi- I swear I even did an online spell check for analyze, and that was the first thing that popped up, so I went with it. Remember, < 4 hrs. sleep.

Ghosted by Mad Cow @ 07/19/2006 6:27 AM EDT

Twenty-eighth?

Ghosted by Kid Nicky @ 07/19/2006 7:35 AM EDT

Awesome ad Matt!

Are there, by chance, bamboo peanuts in those mystery boxes?

Ghosted by bad karma @ 07/19/2006 8:50 AM EDT

It always feels good when something you accomplish gets the recognition it deserves.

I like those Red Stripe beer commercials myself. I really hate all cell phone commercials though.

Has anyone actually tried that Red Stripe beer? It looks pretty good.

Ghosted by Deuce @ 07/19/2006 9:33 AM EDT

Very impressive indeed, Matt. I’ll have to actually watch Nick to catch the real thing as the one you have up and my shitty soundcard are conspiring to strip it of all it’s impressiveness.

As for commercials I hate — Geico. When the hell did the gecko attain a psuedo-British accent? And why would I want to buy insurance from an annoying lizard with an affected accent? Red Stripe is pretty damned good beer, if I may comment on that. Nice and crisp but not too light with a full flavor. I find it goes with Chinese food particularly well.

Ghosted by LemurCat @ 07/19/2006 11:03 AM EDT

It looks like a cool spot, Matt. However, since I am currently living without Nickelodeon, and my internet it not great, I guess I won’t see it any time soon. Still, I am impressed with your job- it would be great to see your own work on the tv screen, I think.

Ghosted by Muppet Baby @ 07/19/2006 12:02 PM EDT

Dude, before you go criticizing other people’s spelling and bragging about intelligence, MAKE SURE YOU ARE RIGHT…It’s "analyze". Otherwise, you end up looking like a doofus…wait, was that a joke? Maybe I’m the doofus.

That ad is SWEET Matt!

Ghosted by Justin @ 07/19/2006 12:17 PM EDT

Ok, now I’m the doofus ’cause his post got deleted and I will appear to have lost my mind.

Those Red Stripe commercials crack me up. My favorite is the one about the ugly guy. You are VERY ugly! Hooray beer!

Ghosted by Justin @ 07/19/2006 12:21 PM EDT

For some reason, when poster kids state their position in a thread, it makes me think of Wacky Races. I wonder what kind of Web Cars everyone’s driving on the ‘Net. Today, I think I’m in a cross between an AT-ST and Ecto-Ichi.

Ghosted by kingklash, bringing up the mid-30's @ 07/19/2006 12:32 PM EDT

I love the ad. Very nice!

David Kaye!? I love him as Sesshoumaru!

Ghosted by Ryane @ 07/19/2006 12:37 PM EDT

Matt- Whats the straight dope on Monster House? It looks like it could be good with Dan Harmon and Rob Scrab writing.

Ghosted by Joker @ 07/19/2006 1:28 PM EDT

Kingklash: I’m driving a Buick Y-Job! Look it up, very wacky concept car.

I’ll have to try that Red Stripe beer tonight. Maybe it’ll make me feel a little better.

I was in a huge wreck on Monday (Which happened to be the day after my Birthday). Some guy fell asleep at the wheel and hit my truck head on. My truck rolled on to the drivers side, and I had to kick out the front winshield to get out. Somehow, I made it out alive, and surprisingly well. The other guy wasn’t so lucky. He’s in critical state at a hospital in Dallas.

Scary stuff.

Ghosted by Deuce @ 07/19/2006 2:00 PM EDT

I’ll admit the doofusness-

No i did not intend to misspell analyze.

Doh.

Sorry to add to the contoversy- I just didn’t like his "sports" justification.

Ghosted by Benchwarmer @ 07/19/2006 2:49 PM EDT

Now we can see why snapping on other posters is a bad idea. There’s an important distinction between good-natured ribbing and mean-spirited insults. As amusing as the snark can be, it screws up the tone in the joint and derails conversation.
I can’t speak for this ad, but Matt has referred to producing other ads, which he explained as basically developing everything from start to finish. Apologies if I’m totally wrong
I hope my accidental double post doesn’t bring the Greymatter hammer down sooner…the Geico gecko has had his latest accent for awhile, and he’s got an ad where he explains why he’d encourage you to buy auto insurance. I think he’s adorable, but admittedly I’m on an "anything British" kick lately. I love the caveman Geico commercial too though. I don’t drink beer, but the Red Stripe commercials make me want to start. I also like the Barcadi and Cola ads. Hate: any manly deoderant/body spray commercials.

Ghosted by squee4242 @ 07/19/2006 2:49 PM EDT

I hate the Geico commercials too. It’s just the work of somebody who’s excessively proud of their ability to mimic a British accent and mannerisms.

Ghosted by RewolfJ @ 07/19/2006 3:11 PM EDT

The Geico cavemen commercial is one of the most brilliant ads of the past few years, for sure. I’ve seen it a thousand times and I still laugh.

Ghosted by Matt @ 07/19/2006 3:14 PM EDT

I loved the first caveman Geico commercial, where the guy is filming the ad, then, when he drops the line about being easy enough for a caveman, you see a caveman works on the crew, storming off the set in a huff, yelling "That is NOT cool!". I also miss the Burger King office commercials. On the otherside of the coin, those Countrywide commercials are REALLY annoying, they play during pretty much every commerical break.

Ghosted by Rob @ 07/19/2006 3:55 PM EDT

squee, you just made me remember those obnoxious Bod body spray commercials. Ya know, the ones where it’s a bunch of homoerotic meathead douchebags playing basketball with their shirts off. They used to play those before movie previews…ughhh…

Ghosted by Justin @ 07/19/2006 4:01 PM EDT

Remember how great those old Little Caesar’s Pizza commercials were, like the one with the kid with X-ray glasses.

"Boy, you sure got a lot of pepperoni in your bread!"

Ghosted by Luap @ 07/19/2006 6:33 PM EDT

Great Stuff Matt! I wish I was able to get some of the cool tv stations that you guys have. I guess growing up on YTV wasnt so bad, but nick sounds so much cooler.

Ghosted by IHAQ @ 07/19/2006 7:02 PM EDT

Why tell people to watch Jimmy Neutron when you can suggest The Fairly Oddparents or Danny Phantom, Matt? I mean, nothing against Jimmy, but Butch Hartman’s shows are just darn good.

The British Geico gecko is just lame, but I’m with Matt on the caveman ad. It’s still funny, which is saying something considering how many times it’s been run.

On that thought, I’m liking the Daimler-Chrysler commercials with Docta Z in them. Old men with moustaches amuse me, I guess.

And Luap…are you sure those Little Caesar’s commercials weren’t a regional thing? They’re on all the time in Michigan, but they’ve always had a low-budget feel around them so I figured they hadn’t made it into very many other areas.

Ghosted by Paul @ 07/19/2006 7:31 PM EDT

LemurCat- Ooh, I hate that damn Gecko too! Plus the radio ads talk about Pennsylvania’s offical state dog (my radio stations come from Philly, but I’m sure they’re also kissing the ass of every other market), official state insect, and then they say "and Pennsylvania’s unofficial state amphibian, the gecko". A gecko is a REPTILE, Geico, and I hope all your fingernails fall out.

I hate beer, but those Red Stripe commercials are great. Can I have your pants?

Spaz, I fully support your annoying first-posting, I got to do that for the first time the other day. Then Greymatter then banned me from posting for two days, so I’ve stubbornly convinced myself that it was 100% worth it.

Ghosted by Welsh Rabbit @ 07/19/2006 7:34 PM EDT

Nah, we had the X-Ray goggle kid selling us pizza way down in New Mexico too. My favorite was always the one where the pizza was so cheesy that it stretched out all the way from the ground and snapped the plane back around. Of course, now every time I fly I’m obscurely disappointed that I have a tiny bag of peanuts rather than tasty, tasty pizza.

Ghosted by Jedoc @ 07/19/2006 7:38 PM EDT

I hope I can stop anyone from making the mistake of buying Red Stripe. I only had it once, but I remember it being pretty terrible.

On the topic of commercials, I just don’t have anything to contribute. I got a DVR a few months ago, and I’ve barely watched a commercial since. I just set it to record several favorite shows, so every time I sit down in front of the tv I have a couple hours of quality programming already recorded. No fuss, no muss, and I can fast-forward through the commercials. I HIGHLY recommend it- you can cut a good 15-20 minutes off of the time you need to watch a show that took an hour to air.

Ghosted by spaz307 @ 07/19/2006 7:50 PM EDT

1 2 Next »

Add A New Comment!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 18th, 2006 at 8:47 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.