Doriano Carta

I love the show “Mad Men” so this documentary called “Art & Copy” was right up my alley! It’s all about the power and beauty that can be marketing and advertising when done right. It covers a lot of the glory from Madison Avenue from the 50s and 60s and beyond.

It’s full of wonderful little behind the scene stories for some of the most successful ad campaigns. I really enjoyed the honest and hilarious comments from some of the giants of the industry. This was a total delight. If you are a creative type then you will also enjoy this. The slogan is “Creativity can solve anything”

Here’s the trailer. It’s streaming in its entirety right now on Netflix.

Here’s a quick interview of the director and the creator of the I want my MTV campaign

I was profoundly moved by a documentary called “FOR NEDA” which was a tribute to the woman that was killed during the Iranian protests in 2009. She immediately became a symbol for the incredible uprising in Iran. I remember when it happened and being captivated by all of the amazing news coming from that region of the world as young Iranians rose up and revolted against their dictatorship and rigged election. We witnessed it unfold online on twitter and YouTube as citizen journalism was born.

Still, it was heartbreaking watching this touching film because the more you learned about Neda and her wonderful family, the more painful her loss became. She was a vibrant, young woman whose life would be cut short for no good reason. I was also angered as I learned just how bad women have it in that part of OUR world. How can this be? In this day and age! How do we allow it to happen? Not just there but in many regions of the planet. I think we need to see these kinds of films and learn as much as we can so we can know the truth and possibly help change things in the world.

Here’s the entire documentary, “FOR NEDA”. You really should watch it. I am positive it will change you forever, as it did for me.

What a difference 4 years make! I’m still in a state of shock that my beloved Azzurri did not make it out of the first round of the World Cup. That has not happened since 1974! We won the 2006 World Cup and we are the defending champions! How could this happen? Well, doesn’t matter what excuses or reasons are given, it happened and Italy is out of the World Cup 2010.

While I am heartbroken over this result and surprised they didn’t make it out of the first round, I can’t say that I am totally surprised either. I did have concerns after Italy barely tied New Zealand in their second game! That was the omen of things to come. Tying Paraguay in game one wasn’t that bad a result as they were a much stronger opponent than the Kiwis! Still, we looked weak in both games scoring 2 lucky goals that were gifts (goalie mistake and questionable penalty kick).

Losing so badly to Slovakia 3-2 is the lowest of lows for Italian soccer fans. Italy was ranked 5th in the world by FIFA and Slovakia was 34th and this was the first time they ever made the World Cup! We looked totally clueless out there with no talent or skills. Most disturbing of all, we looked like a team without heart or soul and no passion! Those are cardinal sins for any Italian never mind our Azzurri! Where was the fight? Sure, they should some spirit in the final 10 minutes scoring 2 goals but it was all too late.

I think the two images of our captain Cannavarro that I combined above says it all. From the ecstasy of 2006 to the agony of 2010… It took 24 long painful years for Italy to win another World Cup championship after their glorious reign in Spain in 1982. Let’s hope it doesn’t take that long to win another one.

In the mean time, I will watch this over and over again until I wash away this nightmare of 2010.

Oh and this too.. from 1982 finals

Here’s the classic Italy-Brazil match that many consider the best ever (Italy winning 3-2!)

The 2010 World Cup has arrived! It’s a bittersweet time for me because I am thrilled to watch the best in the world compete in soccer but at the same time it also means the end of Italy’s 4 years as World Champs! I cannot begin to tell you how much I loved the 2006 World Cup. Not only because my home country won it all but also because of how they won and whom they beat! They defeated France which had not happened in almost 30 years! To top it off, they did so in a penalty kick shootout which they never win! They were eliminated from the World Cup on penalty kicks in 1990 (Semi-finals), 1994 finals, 1998 Quarter-finals (France!) and they lost in over time in 2002 to Korea.

Anyway, I don’t think they have any chance to win this time around because there are several teams that look much stronger such as Mexico, Brazil and Spain (who beat Italy in the 2008 Europe Cup on, yup, you guessed it, penalty kicks).

Here’s the theme song for the 2010 World Cup by Shakira, one of my favorites! It’s such a joyous song and I love the beginning of the music video because they use the end of the 2006 World Cup as Italy beats France!

You’re a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up
And dust yourself off
And back in the saddle
You’re on the frontline
Everyone’s watching
You know it’s serious
We’re getting closer
This isnt over
The pressure is on
You feel it
But you’ve got it all
Believe it
When you fall get up
Oh oh…
And if you fall get up
Oh oh…
Tsamina mina
Zangalewa
Cuz this is Africa
Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka Waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa
This time for Africa
Listen to your god

This is our motto
Your time to shine
Dont wait in line
Y vamos por Todo
People are raising
Their Expectations
Go on and feed them
This is your moment
No hesitations
Today’s your day
I feel it
You paved the way
Believe it
If you get down
Get up Oh oh…
When you get down
Get up eh eh…
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa
This time for Africa
Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka Waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa
Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka Waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

I’ve always loved Styx. Yes, even when they’ve done sticky sweet ballads like Babe, The First Time and Don’t Let It End. Over all, I love their music. I will stack their best work up against anyone. My favorite songs being Come Sail Away, Lady, Renegade, Lights and The Grand Illusion (Angry Young Man).

Here’s a Behind the Music special about the Styx Story. Even though the band continues to tour without Dennis DeYoung, I will always like Styx better when he was in the band.

Here’s Styx at their best…performing Come Sail Away Live.

Here’s a totally 80s music video from BREATHE called “How Can I Fall” that brings back lots of memories. I really liked Breathe and their big hits “Hands to Heaven” and “Does She Love That Man”. This one made the top 5 as far as I can remember.