The Glorious Inglorious

“You know somethin', Utivich? I think this might just be my masterpiece.”

My first encounter with Mr. Tarantino works was at Djakarta Theater on 2003 when i watched Kill Bill, and I still remember that orgasmic experience vividly. The odd B class movie opening, the hilarious over the top dialog, the artistic brutality and of course the Beatrix Kiddo’s toe scene. From that moment there’s no turning back, I just fell in love with that notorious genius basterd.

And then come his latest motion picture, Inglorious Basterds, rumors said that it got 7 minutes standing ovation at Cannes. Wow I said, this one I really gotta see! And once again Tarantino shows why he is one of the most influential director of all time.

Watching Inglorious Basterds is like treating yourself on a guilty pleasure journey. At one time you laugh your socks off and on a split second later you see blood splattered everywhere, sometime even you do that at the same time, smirking your face in disgust but can’t help to laugh. The dialogs are fucking long and full of clever bullshit but somehow they nail you at your seat, listening carefully for every word and feel the tense behind it, and for me that an A class acting and directing.

The star on this one I must say is Christop Waltz who plays Colonel Hans Landa AKA The Jew Hunter. Waltz gave an Oscar worthy performance as a slick Nazi detective, the depth of his acting was remarkable and single handedly stole the show even from Mr Brad Pitt himself. If you are a huge fan of Mr. Tarantino you don’t want to miss it, if you are not a fan of his work then I promise you’ll be after you saw this. 4.5 stars for this masterpiece.

The Bird and the Worm- Owl City music video w/ lyrics ♥

Soooooooooooooooooooooooo loveeeeeeeeeeeee it!!! Great lyrics and tunes, Bravo!!!

The Truth, It's Quite Ugly

Woman! Never talk about your problems 'cause men don't really listen or care, and that’s the Ugly Truth. Yesterday I strolled to Pluit Village XXI with my friends to watch what some critics on IMDB said as the romcom movie of the year, my expectation in quite high on this one.

But when the lights turn back on and the credits start to roll, I must say my feeling was split in two different directions. At one side sure it has hilarious moments, explicit language, and easy on the eye casts, but on the other side I don’t feel the connection, the vibe from the two main casts, their characters don’t have a depth, what you see is exactly what you get, the plot is waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy too obvious, and also the fact that some group of teenage who sat behind me was laughing like a pack of hyenas really doesn’t give much help.

I won’t go very far and say that this is complete waste of time and money because like I said above, it has it moments, but alas, compare it to some classics like My Best Friend’s Wedding or Notting Hill or even How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, I must say this one falls short. 2.5 stars I’ll give

Ignition

The Turnip Thief

As beautiful as the music of a nightingale humming
Yet so sneaky like an evening shadow
All of her deception tricks I can see them coming
Yet somehow I keep my guarding low

Now with no more turnip to grow
My farming business has to go ashtray
But there’s one thing she doesn’t know
The turnip isn’t the only thing she took that day

The Amazing Team Hoyt

A very inspiring and up lifting story about unconditional love, unbelievable stuff!!!

600 Seconds With Gavin Simpson

Each week Campaign Brief Asia sits down with a prominent creative talent from our region and gets to know them better. This week in this regular "10 Minutes With" column is Gavin Simpson, Executive Creative Director, Ogilvy & Mather Hong Kong.

What did you do before getting into advertising?
I was a bartender for nearly five years. The last two of those five years were spent going to college in the day and working at night.

Why did you first get into advertising?
I was told it pays well.

Who gave you your first big break?
It's an endless list...
Kurt Crocker gave me my first job in Ogilvy & Mather Direct.
Luke Bailey made the effort to see me three times to rework my book.
Ted Lim gave me the chance to work in mainstream.
Sonal Dabral inspired me to think big.
Tham Khai Meng built my resilience to brutal honesty.

What is your career highlight to date?
Winning Malaysia's first Gold & Silver One Show Pencil back in 2002.
And helping Ogilvy & Mather Philippines win the 2006 Creative Agency of the Year (4A's Agency of the Year Awards). The last time Ogilvy Philippines was awarded this was back in 1998.




















Your two best ads/campaigns that you have been involved with?
1. Land Rover "Direction". It was voted 4th Best Ad in the World by The Gunn Report.
2. Pond's Billboards in the Philippines. It was really rewarding doing something so unconventional for Unilever. Plus it was done during my first gig as ECD.

Is there an ad that makes you green with envy?
Sony Balls. Till today I still wonder how they sold it.

Do you have a 'worst mistake' or a most embarrassing moment in your advertising career to date?
Waking up and coming to work every morning.

Is there a person you have enjoyed working with the most? (Don't choose someone you currently work with)
No one's really on my list. And I think I'm on no one's list.

The most interesting, inspiring or funniest person you have ever met or worked with?
Neil French. No one tells a story like he does. And few can think as fast as him. One of the highlights of my careers was brainstorming with him when I was just an Art Director. My mind was whirring at top speed just to keep up with his rate of producing ideas. He just kept coming up with stuff, all of which were pretty good. So the pressure was really on for all of us in that room. It was really rewarding (and a relief) when I managed to come up with something he got excited about.

You have worked in several different countries throughout Asia. How does Hong Kong compare to your experiences in Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia?
It seems like Hong Kong in general has been stuck in a creative rut for sometime when it comes to advertising compared to some of the other Asian countries. Which is hard to fathom considering Hong Kong is Asia's 'Hollywood' in the film industry and a major contributor to Asia's music scene.
I think HK is a very challenging market. HK was among the Asian pioneers in producing world-class work. This was back in the 80s. Somehow, HK has lost its luster. Along with the political handover, some creativity was also passed over. Some of the best creative talents migrated over to China.
Currently, too much focus is put on the HK "bling". Style has taken over substance. But that said, I think HK is making a comeback. This year a couple of agencies got into the D&AD, Clio & One Show. McCann HK got 2 silver nomination in D&AD. So it's a positive sign.
There's no doubting this place has the talent, clients and potential to produce good work. Now, it's just realizing that potential and, hopefully, infecting the whole HK with it.

What's your favourite leisure activity/hobbies outside of advertising?
I collect a lot of junk: old radios, televisions, enamel advertisements, furniture, and toys.

Favourite holiday destination?
New York. The city is full of life and the people are so polite.

Favourite hotel?
The E&O in Penang. I proposed to my wife there.

Tell me something about yourself that not many people would know.
I'm actually a nice person.