In Soviet Russia, Film Silences You!

This week was a little busy for me, so I still haven't been able to see The Artist. I'm a big fan of silent films, so I'm excited to see a modern take on the silent film genre. However, since I haven't been able to make it to the theaters, I've been making my own silent movies by using The Artistifier. The Artistifier, sent in by alert reader, Jeff, takes any YouTube video you can find and turns it into a silent movie. You, then become the director and choose what the actors are saying and where the captions should go.

Need an example, faithful readers? Ok, then.

Remember that Russian Trolololo video from a while back? Well, I took that heart-warming video, uploaded it to The Artistifier, and made it into a deep, award-winning film about one man's existential view of his own mortality and his hubristic downfall. . .or just added the first thing that came to my mind as I watched the video.

Click on the box below and check it out:

I know, right? Deep stuff. You should be shaking in your boots, D.W. Griffith!


Give it a shot yourself. Find a YouTube video, turn it into a silent film and then post it in the comments section on this site for everyone to see.

Happy silenting!

I'll See That Video, and I'll Raise You a Kitty

Remember a while back when we were discussing that Pure Russian Joy video? Well, it still brings a smile to my face each time I see it, but I will admit I don't laugh as hard at it anymore. So imagine my utter elation when, alert reader, Derek showed me the following video (sorry, Skyloo, you're not gonna be able to see this one at work - here's something to keep you entertained in the mean time):



I told you this Trolololol thing was spreading.

Now, while most of you will find the humor in that video immediately, some of you will be asking "What is it with you and cats, The Former 786? Why do you find them so funny?" Here's my theory on that: Cats are supposed to be these elegant, graceful and intelligent creatures, so when they do something stupid, it's comedy gold. Kind of like when newspeople make mistakes - hilarious!

So this video takes something that I already liked, dipped it in chocolate, filled it with cheese and then covered it with frosting.

Dang. I just made myself hungry - gotta go! Keep trololoing!

In Soviet Russia, Viral Video Posts YOU!

I'm going to start this post with the video - no explanation, no forewarning, no preparation, just the video - enjoy:



How's that for a slice of fried gold?

The reason I presented this video to you like that is because that's how it was presented to me. I was just given the link and was able to enjoy it for what it was: pure, unfiltered, baritone Russian joy. I mean, can anyone watch that whole video and not crack a smile? That guy seems so happy, so careless - it's contagious!

But who is he?

Well, if you must know, after some in-depth investigative journalism, I found out his name is Эдуа́рд Анато́льевич Хи́ль, aka Eduard Anatolyevich Khil, aka Eduard Khil, aka Edward Hill. He's a Russian singer who was born on September 4th, 1934. That video is taken from his performance on a Russian variety show in 1976. The name of the song is "Я очень рад, ведь я, наконец, возвращаюсь домой," or, "I Am Very Glad, Because I’m Finally Going Home." No, I am not making that up.

But why the weird gibberish lyrics? Well, Eduard explains them by saying, "Lyrics were written for it, but they were poor. I mean, they were good, but one couldn't publish them at that time. They contained words like these: 'I'm riding my stallion, so-and-so mustang, and my beloved Mary is thousand miles away knitting a stocking for me". Of course, we failed to publish it at that time, and we, Arkady Ostrovsky and I, decided to make it a vocalise. But the essence remained in the title."

Yes it did, Eduard. Yes it did.

This random video is now being passed all around the interwebs. Plus, it's been shown and parodied on such shows as The Colbert Report and Jimmy Kimmel Live. And some even say that this "Trololololololololololo" video is going to become the new Rick Roll. I, personally, don't think it will, though. It's just too tiresome to say "HA! YOU JUST GOT Trololololololololololo-ed!"

But what does Eduard think of all this sudden and random fame? "I haven't heard anything about it," he said, "It's nice, of course!"

Yes it is, Eduard. Yes it is.

You can find more out about Eduard on his website by clicking here. . .and finding a translator.

In the meantime, let's watch it again, shall we?



Ahhhhh. Pure, unfiltered, baritone Russian joy!

Bask in it!