short circuits
A brief look at new and noteworthy experiences among DVDs, video games, gadgets and the Web.
WEB
All together now ... In a year when there wasn't much good to hear from politicians, a cooperative online project by several Minneapolis creative agencies has resulted in an amusing mash-up video that turns their negative sound bites into the positive "Our Message of Hope" (www.ourmessageofhope.com) for the new year. The clip strings together phrase snippets from President-elect Barack Obama, President Bush, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Sen. Norm Coleman and others to create something fresh. "Our intention is to create an emotional holiday message that makes people stop, think and share," said Bruce Bildsten, creative director of Brew, the lead agency. "This year we thought our friends could use a smile, as well." Brew has created other online videos for the holidays. Last year, its "Glow" envisioned a sparkling spectral span across the Mississippi River in the wake of the bridge collapse. The year before, "The Letter" delivered an uplifting wish amid the turmoil of the Iraq War. The new clip offers a twist in that users can create their own political mash-up at the website. Other agencies involved in its creation were Sevnth Sin, Ditch, Rumble and Fast Horse Inc. Give it a whirl. DVD
It's a totally Blu-ray day It's not much of a release day for TV shows and movies that are new to DVD. But if you just got a Blu-ray player as a gift, many great catalog movies hit the high-def disc format today. They include the racing adventure "Days of Thunder," the sci-fi cult favorites "Event Horizon" and "Serenity," the romantic hit "Ghost," the quirky drama "The Truman Show," and the comedies "Tommy Boy," "Last Holiday" and "Wedding Crashers." Also out today: "An American Carol," "Greek" (Chapter 2), "Kyle Xy" (Season 2), "Nip/Tuck" (Season 5, Part 1), "Surfer Dude" and "Towelhead." RANDY A. SALAS
Get daily technology news and musings from Randy Salas at startribune.com/technobabble.
