Sponsored Video: Cornetto Films Presents ‘Cupidity’ Short Stories

Cornetto is one completely unique ice cream brand. The brand has developed ‘Cupidity’ under the moniker of Cornetto Films. ‘Cupidity’ is a series of four short films featuring eight lovers and “some very wise cupids.” Teenagers created these four films as part of Cornetto’s redesigned ongoing brand strategy, which focuses on online content more. These cleverly concocted films feature high production value as part of Cornetto’s “Enjoy The Ride, Love The Ending” productions.

The short titled “Margot” is below. The film features a star-crossed gal (Margot) who pines for a man photographed in magazines. When a thief enters her shop at closing time, he steals Margot’s most prized possession – her collection of photographs of the man she desires. The thief splits into a taxi, but ends up disappointed with his haul. Only then can fate intervene. I’ll let you inspect the rest of the tale for yourself, but there is a fun lesson for us all involved.

Additional films in the series are “Kismet Diner” (with a diner as a backdrop, naturally), “Beauty and The Geek” (self-explanatory? Maybe.), and “X Phobia” (a longer tale set in Los Angeles). All of these shorts can be accessed below. For more information on Cornetto, take a look at their Facebook page (where you can “Like” it, of course) or if you prefer, you can follow them on twitter. Feeling daring? Do both.

This post is sponsored by Cornetto, but all thoughts are The Film Nest’s.

Have a look at the video below. Enjoy!

Sponsored Video: Coors Light and Jean Claude Van Damme Make A Hilarious Team

Jean Claude Van Damme. His name is synonymous with several things, chief among them would include: Hollywood action star, martial arts (kickboxing, at least), decade of the 80’s and 90’s icon, and…now you can add comedic genius to this distinguished list. After his autobiographical JCVD documentary hit from a few years ago, Jean Claude seemingly has seen his career become resurrected. He’s done voice work in the Kung-Fu Panda animated films and has obtained a role in Sylvester Stallone’s genre-destroying The Expendables 2. Yes, the Bloodsport king is even showing new sides to his personality with his recent string of Coors Light commercials.

Van Damme can be seen drinking the classic beverage that I once nicknamed my car, “The Silver Bullet,” after (true story). Coors Light has a history of interesting branding to say the least, which spans commercial attempts from the “Love Train” songs to rapper-slash-actor pitchman Ice Cube’s “You think you colder than me?” efforts. JCVD adds another wrinkle to their brand marketing strategy with often-hilarious spots that talk about how cold Coors Light is, with Van Damme quipping away. Think, him making snow angels or ripping his frozen hair out in one piece. Good stuff.

The video below is yet another example of this growing, dynamic relationship. You’ll instantly recognize the epic 80’s pop tune and enjoy his winter companion in this piece. Have a look and feel free to go grab a cold Coors Light or three this weekend. Hopefully, you’ve earned it.

This post is sponsored by Coors Light, but all thoughts are The Film Nest’s.

Sponsored Video: The Samsung Galaxy Camera and Actor James Franco Create Art

James Franco and the Samsung Galaxy Camera are a match made in heaven. Here, Samsung one-ups the competition by pairing a top-notch brand name in technology with a true artist who loves to explore photography, film and literature. James, notorious for his evolving roles in films like Spider-Man 1 and 2 or his award-nominated turn in 127 Hours, always is looking to push the envelope creatively. He brings along a product like the Samsung Galaxy Camera to help him in these endeavors. He is a director, writer, actor and sometimes painter, often referenced as a modern day “Renaissance man.”

The Samsung Galaxy Camera can help you achieve the perfect shot. It’s compact and discreet enough to go with you wherever you go. It also is a completely integrated device, which allows you to shoot, edit, store and share through its 3G/4G wireless technology. How cool is that? The camera includes a touch screen, a ridiculous 21x optical zoom, the ability to capture video in slow motion and of course, take luscious pictures. If you are a user of Android or the Samsung family of products, this is a complete no brainer of a purchase to add to your arsenal.

Talent can only get you so far though, you have to have a desire to push your creative limits and add tools to your box all the time. Samsung develops products that can help you, like they help James, in all of your creative pursuits. The Samsung Galaxy Camera is an absurdly deep device convenient to capture moments, store them to the cloud and instantly share them with the world. The video below explains more. Now, go make it happen!

This post has been sponsored by the Samsung Galaxy Camera, but all thoughts are The Film Nest’s.

Sponsored Video: The MINI is Anything But Normal

The MINI is an automobile that is not cut from the same cloth as so many other cookie cutter vehicles. Owners of the MINI should strive to be anything but normal. NOT NORMAL should be their state of mind. The MINI has been using this principle in their design and innovation of their vehicle for more than 50 years. The uniqueness of the vehicle makes a statement and their owners should too.

This video shows the MINI to be all that and then some, as the kids say. The MINI can be seen creating brilliant art (so cool!). The MINI can be driven on two wheels (not advisable to be done at home though) in an updated version of “ghost riding the whip” (remember that?). The MINI can be used to mount laser holograms, which create characters dancing in the sky. The MINI can be whatever you want it to be, as long as it is NOT NORMAL.

Strive to be better than the average. Strive to stand out and make a name for yourself. Live life to the fullest and let a vehicle help assist you with showing your passion and creativity to the world. Don’t fit in, be seen and be amazing. Let the MINI help guide the way. Check out the video below that shows the MINI in its ever-evolving habitat of creativity. Enjoy.

This post has been sponsored by MINI but the thoughts are all The Film Nest’s.

Best Poker Playing Movie Characters

Have you ever noticed that a lot of movie characters play poker? Especially in Hollywood movies, although you will occasionally see the game in say French cinema, etc. as well. It’s not odd of course. Lots of people play poker, and the game is so old now that it’s a classic. It might surprise you how many movies include the game though. Maybe if you’re on holiday in France, and having a quiet night in your hotel room with some films, you can watch out for it. See how often it comes up.

It’s not even always part of the plot of the movie. For example, the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith has a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it poker match near the beginning. For every poker movie there is, there’s a character who plays the game. Some are suave, others are underdogs who never had any training from websites like PartyPoker Francais, because online poker didn’t exist back then. Take a look at the three poker playing movie characters below who have made their mark on the poker movie genre.

Bret Maverick – Maverick

You might know this character from the 1994 movie, which starred Mel Gibson in the role, or the 1950-1960s television series starring James Garner. Focusing on the movie though, Gibson got his hands on a meaty role. Bret Maverick is the gentlemanly gambler who is in need of three thousand dollars so he can enter a Winner Take All poker game. Joining up with female gambler (Jodie Foster), the two try their luck. Maverick was created by James Garner originally and recreated by Mel Gibson, making him one of the most iconic on screen poker players in the world.

James Bond – Casino Royale

While some people would suggest that the movie Casino Royale didn’t do the game of Texas Hold’em justice, you can’t deny that of all the fictional characters who play the game, Bond is by far the most suave. Even if the script did lead Mr. Bond to miss a ‘false tell’ from the arms dealer Le Chiffre. He was possibly a little distracted by the lovely French actress Eva Green who portrayed Vesper. So, perhaps he can be forgiven. Either way, we hope to see a better example of Daniel Craig’s version of Bond’s poker skills in later films.

Mike McDermott – Rounders

Mike probably wouldn’t have the same charm for the audience had he been played by any other actor than Matt Damon. In this 1998 movie, Mike is a reformed gambler who is pulled back into playing big stakes poker when he agrees to help a friend pay off a big loan. With a lot of swagger, Mr. McDermott was a solid character for Damon to sink his teeth into. One of his most memorable quotes in the movie: “You can’t lose what you don’t put in the middle… But you can’t win much either.”

Sponsored Video: Jeep Celebrates Our Nation’s Heroes

Jeep, the U.S. automaker of Jeeps, Cherokees and more suburban vehicles, wants us to help celebrate our troops. Our nation’s heroes. America is proud to support its military. Our troops are stationed across the globe, helping to fight wars and spread peace throughout the world, while keeping our good name here in the U.S.A.

My grandfather stormed the beaches in Normandy in World War II. My Uncle was in Vietnam. My old boss fought in Desert Storm. My sister’s ex-boyfriend was a Marine. One of my best buddies was in the Navy for eight years. We all know someone who helped keep our great nation safe. Now, with the help of Jeep, we can be prepared to greet them graciously as those in the current armed forces continue to arrive home for the Holidays.

They are our dads, sons, mothers and daughters. Our grandparents and our friends. They represent us and they represent the freedom of a great nation. Take a look at this short video by Jeep, which makes reference to the troops that went into battle in 1941. These people count down the years, months, weeks, days, hours and minutes until they can see their loved ones. Maybe someone you know is ready to come home. Then you can do your part to help to celebrate our nation’s heroes. We salute the Veterans of the United States of America. I offer you a sincere thank you. And welcome home.

This post was sponsored by Jeep, but the thoughts are all The Film Nest’s.

Sponsored Video: Oliver Stone’s ‘Savages’ Comes to DVD and Blu-ray Disc

Director Oliver Stone packs a star-studded cast and his usual flair for the dramatic into the box office hit Savages. The film, which follows the drug trade, made more than $47 million domestically and arrives on disc for home consumption on November 13th. If you missed it in the theaters, now is the time to make up for it. If you loved it “at the movies,” then you can jump on the opportunity to own the film.

Savages shares a lot in common with Steven Soderbergh’s classic, Traffic. That is, it brings a top-notch cast – including the sultry Blake Lively; the menacing Benicio Del Toro; up and comers Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson; and veterans like John Travolta and Salma Hayek. Throw in a fun plot, a three-time Oscar winning director and what do you have? Can’t miss cinema.

The movie features small time California dope growers going to war with the Mexican Baja Cartel. Things never go according to plan and all hell breaks loose. I don’t want to give away the rest when you have the opportunity to see it for yourselves. Have a look at the video below to get a closer look at Oliver Stone’s Savages.

This post is sponsored by Universal Pictures but all thoughts are The Film Nest’s.

Sponsored Video: “The Beauty Inside” Video Series

“The Beauty Inside” is a special video series mixing normal people with real life actors. The series has an interesting and unique premise, about a 20-something man named Alex, whose appearance changes on a daily basis. You can imagine that this makes life a bit challenging for him. Alex finds his work to be a solitary sanctuary for his constantly changing appearance.

Life is anything but normal for Alex (voiced by Spider-Man 3 star Topher Grace). While his soul and spirit remain the same every day – hence his inner beauty – his physical appearance changes routinely. He can be man, woman, short, fat, beautiful, ugly, old or young. In order to keep track of who he is, Alex documents his changing physique with a Toshiba Portege Ultrabook laptop. I’d call that a necessity in his case.

Tons of talent has helped to bring this project to life. Director Drake Doremus (Like Crazy) infuses the project with an intimate visual style. Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World) is one of the main actresses in the videos. Perhaps more importantly, there are many random people – like you – who help to show the strain that Alex’s changing look has on his life and relationships. It is very interesting stuff, so be sure to take a look at the video below. Enjoy!

This post has been sponsored by Intel & Toshiba, but all thoughts are The Film Nest’s.

Sponsored Video: Universal Studios Classic Thriller ‘Jaws’ Releases on Blu-ray Disc

Have you really ever wanted to go into the ocean ever since seeing Jaws? Admit it, you probably haven’t. You might have wanted to, sure, but in the back of your mind you were haunted by the possibility of an epic-sized great white shark like Jaws looming underneath your toes, sight unseen.  Okay, maybe it’s just me, but back in 1975, Jaws freaked me out. It stayed with me for some time. Even thinking about it kind of creeps me out. Fortunately, with the release of Jaws on Blu-ray, you and I get to be freaked out all over again.

That’s right, Jaws is set to debut September 3rd on Blu-ray disc from Universal Studios. The soundtrack – “duh, duh…duh, duh, duhduhduhduhduh!!!” – still reverberates through our minds. That is the definition of an effective film score, one of the true classics. Then there was the cinematography…nothing but bright blue waters, silent before something lurks, ready to attack. And of course there are the classic lines like “I think you’re gonna need a bigger boat.” Understatement of the year, that line. Great ad-lib.

Jaws is a film that would help launch director Steven Spielberg’s career into the pantheon of top notch filmmakers. He’s still there. It’s the type of movie that has been often imitated and never duplicated. Countless water scare affairs have tried, but none have succeeded in quite the same way. Time to revisit it, don’t you think? Take a look at the video below, which highlights the film’s Blu-ray release. Then look for the disc – with a re-mastered 1080p image and tons of special features – to relive a modern classic. Just make sure you are not planning a beach trip any time real soon. Enjoy!

Article is sponsored by Universal Studios. Thoughts are all The Film Nest’s.

Madagascar 3 is the third film in the epic adventures of the animated New York Central Zoo denizens you all know and love. The Madagascar trilogy has followed these motley beasts from New York to Africa and now, to Europe! Madagascar 3 continues the journey of its stars with Marty The Zebra, Alex The Lion, Julien The Lemur and Gloria The Hippo, among them. This time around, the crew gets trapped in a travelling circus in Europe as they desperately and hilariously attempt work their way back home to the Big Apple (New York City).

Madagascar 3 continues in the tradition of previous DreamWorks Animation and Hollywood animated hits, such as Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, How To Train Your Dragon and of course, both of the early Madagascar films. The voice cast is sterling, featuring some of the funniest comedic names in the industry. With Chris Rock, Ben Stiller and the always crazy, Sacha Baron Cohen helping to bring these characters to life, how can you go wrong? The cast also features strong female names in Jada Pinkett-Smith and Jessica Chastain, among countless more star voices.

Check out the video below, as even this short look has plenty of fun and chuckles to boot. For more info on the film or if you want to keep up with all things Madagascar 3, stop by its Facebook page or even play along by downloading the film’s Madagascar 3 Wig Out interactive app. Can’t beat it! Madagascar 3 arrives in theaters on October 19th. Be there if you are in need of a few laughs. Enjoy.

Article sponsored by Paramount Pictures. Thoughts are The Film Nest’s.