False Advertisement
If you live in the Philippines, you’ve probably encountered (and at one point in your life, bought) pirated DVD’s. When one gets too lazy to get his ass off to the theatres and are too miserly to spend the actual money for the (overpriced) original DVD, one resorts to bootleg/piracy.
I’m not here to preach about moral dilemma (or is it tri-lemma) one has to face in buying pirated dvd’s (choice 1: I don’t watch movie, I get bored sick. choice 2: I buy original DVD of movies I’m not sure I’ll like, and I’ll tear my hair off for spending huge money on a bad movie. choice 3: I buy the cheap, pirated version, knowing I’m practically "stealing" but is staying on the pragmatic track).
What I’m about to ponder is how fake some of the advertisements are. Seems almost every (fake) dvd’s that need an audience have a critic’s testimonial, some of which I suspect to be fake, from Roger Ebert. For example, few days ago, I saw some vendor selling Devilman and You’re Under Arrest Live Action Movie, both of which have Ebert’s 4 star plastered. I’m not about to be a judge, but since when had Ebert become an otaku? Also, Devilman received such low ratings at IMDB. Although not always taking the conventional route, would anyone actually believe that Ebert would start extolling movies with tremendously B-movie quality plot? Last I checked, he cavilled almost 3/4 of the movie he reviewed, even those that received high ratings from him (such as Lord of the Rings)!
Just a while ago, I bought 13 Going On 30. Now I know this movie is generally well-received by critics and casual viewers alike, but an absurd testimonial, again, went on the cover. Accordingly,"13 Going On 30 is this year’s best romantic comedy" says Ebert, whom the DVD states work for USA Today.
There’s something completely wrong in this picture. 1.) Anyone who reads Ebert’s reviews knows that he rarely give out categorical, absolute praises or critiques, such as best or worst, to any movie. Any 12 year old can do that. 2.) Chicago Sun Times should sue their ass off if they ever chance upon this advertisement. Roger Ebert DOESN’T WORK FOR USA TODAY! 3.) After seeing this movie, which I enjoyed to an extent, I have great doubts that Ebert would dub it, word-for-word, as one of the year’s best romantic comedy. It’s good, but FAR FROM PERFECT, since it has the unoriginality of imitating Tom Hank’s "Big" going on everywhere.
And 4.) Ebert never actually said so! Geez, talk about placing false advertisements.
