Happy New Year from ABBA!

Happy New Year from Google Video of the Day!

May 2006 be full of funny, weird, interesting, amazing, and stupid videos!

Urban Dynamics

A hypnotic documentary by Philipp Ennemoser, except not: miniDV camcorders were sent to participants in urban areas around the globe. They rediscovered their own cities through recording daily life. Lots of sped-up bustling city footage, which I love. The music is cool. And the credits are even cool. It's not packed with information--you won't hardly learn anything new. It's just cool to watch. Philipp sent me the link and I'm happy to post it.

Running time: 00:16:00

Cardcaptor Anime Music Video (AMV)

A lot of these anime music videos kinda start looking the same after a while, but this one's a little different!

Prefuse 73

Ah luvs me some Prefuse 73. This kid has some terrific turntable skills.

Why Don't You Ask Me What if Feels Like to be a Freak?

Fun with faces.

We Will Rock You

Awesome little life-affirming cartoon version of Queen's "We Will Rock You." I had already bagged it to post, but then Maurice Stockton had the same idea and sent me the link, and has sent me several of GVOD's best and most popular links, so he deserves a big "thank you" anyway!

Video War: Which Do You Like Better?

Crazy Umbrella Dance? or Laura Being Dumb?

Holla Back -- The Aluminum Foil Version

This is how we keep the government mind control signals out. We DANCE them away!

Canadian Beaver

You know, I don't recall seeing this commercial on my side of the Canadian border. Can't imagine why.

Mixel Pixel: At the Arcade

Ricardo Rivera of klip//collective sent me the link to a video he made with Rob Corradetti from Mixel Pixel in less than 24 hours. It's pretty happy.

Redneck Truck Surfing

The very brief saga of a big red shiny truck and a very, very stupid man.

Awesome Yo-Yo-ness

There's only so much stuff you can or want to pay attention to at any given time. You know there's people out there doing some amazing stuff with something you don't know anything about. There's no end to people who are totally obsessed with some arcane subject that's not even on your radar screen. When you encounter this level of obsession and skill, it can be a little surprising. I mean, I know people did tricks with yo-yos, but nothing like the stuff in this clip. Video sent by Callaway Ryan a while ago. Sorry I waited so long, but today it feels right.

I Guess They Showed Him

Here's a classic example of how force can be overused. I want to be fair: cops and guards never know what hidden things may be going on. The guy may not really be alone, he may be crazy strong from drugs or because he's just crazy. But that pile-up at the end? That's just not needed. But it really, really helps the guards reenforce their problems with authority and the fact that their fathers probably didn't love them.

Sent in by Mark Goodwin. Thanks, Mark!

The President Has A Message For You

He wants to tell you what he really thinks of you. Did I mention that he hates fat people, too?

I Need 15 Cents

This is one of those video that's just inexplicably weird. And funny. Slowed-down sound along with slow-motion video always makes me laugh. Guess I'm easy, that way.

George Bush Hates Fat People

A parody of Kanye West's "Gold Digger." Headline, of course, is a parody of Kayne's infamously impromptu speech during a Katrina Relief show. Parody is protected as free speech under the first amendment. For now...

You know what I loved best about Kanye's little speech? How uncomfortable Mike Meyers looked. Like he had gas and was having trouble keeping it in.

Thanks to Stacey Everaardt for sending!

Crazy Japanese TV Show

The words "crazy" and "Japanese TV Show" are starting to seem redundant to this American! Kind of like the words "awful" and "American TV Show." I don't know what this is, so maybe you can help. Reminds me a little of H&R Puff 'n' Stuff from long ago. Dig the various headwear, and those crazy-eyed guys, and... guys in string thong teabags at the end? WTF? Oookaaaay...

Funny Video: Clinton Voodoo

A great little spot with some good computer animation/live action of the ex-prez as the inadvertant victim of a voodoo doll. Pretty funny.

First Man in Space: Skydiving from the Edge of the World

American Joe Kittinger, in 1960, not Yuri Gregorov Gagarin, was actually the first man in space. Not by rocket, but by high-altitude balloon. Up at three times the altitude of a jet liner, he did something amazing: he jumped. As he fell to earth, he broke the sound barrier. Finally, he opened his chute.

Wow.

Friday vs. Monday

Welcome back to work!

Magic Donkey

You don't need to speak the language to understand this funny video!

Smart Walker

Yeah, I can see some poor baffled old guy dealing with this contraption. I have only one question, where do I dock my iPod? Okay, I guess I have another question: where's the GPS? You're not so smart...

Slow Tapes Playing in Area

I realize this video may not appeal to most people. If you're not really into electronic music or circuit-bending, musique concrete, or sound-manipulation, you may want to skip this one. Unless you want to hear what a cat's meow sounds like played back really slow (it's creepy cool).

Running time: 00:10:28

Described on the video's page by the uploaders as "eccentric" and a "technology savant," the late (?) Terry Brown is interviewed and filmed demonstrating his totally hacked tape deck and microphone. After the first minute, it gets kind of boring for a while, so you may want to skip to about half way through.

This guy certainly was eccentric. His house was a crap hole. All his equipment looked like it was salvaged from a junk yard. He definitely had a very focused (to the exclusion of all other things, apparently) way of dealing with sound-creation. I get the feeling this guy operated by internal standards that nobody else could ever have understood and that even he himself may not have understood... I think he followed his instincts. What I mean to say is that he's the kind of odd character you might find in a William Gibson story. I can't find a damn thing on him elsewhere on the web, so if anybody out there knows anything, please add you comments!

The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves

Warning: Contains a little strong language.

You Write the Caption

You write the caption for this video in the comments. Heh... this one ought to be good.

Welcome to My Crib

Just thought you would like a tour of my summer crib in France. I fed a bunch of young neo-hippies nothing but orange juice, acid, hash brownies, and MD 20/20 for a month and this is what they came up with. Seriously.

Squicky Contortionist

One of the few people who knows what every part of her body looks like without a mirror.

UPDATE: This was sent to me by Norman. Forgot to mention this at first. Sorry, Norman!

The Domino Effect

A hypnotically entertaining clip sent in by frequent commenter Kimson. Though the commercial's good, the beer isn't. Thanks, Kimson!

AMV/Sifl & Olly: Ninjas of the Night

If you were lucky enough to ever catch the Sifl & Olly show on MTV back in the day, then you know what an ultra crecent fresh show it was. It was super cress. If you never saw it, you missed one of the best shows to ever light up the pixels of a telelvision. Here, a bit of soundtrack is set and edited to some anime clips.

"White" Christmas: COPS meets Rankin & Bass

Santa gets busted for transporting Christmas cheer, resists arrest, you know how this story ends.

Merry Christmas!

Now We Know

Check out this documentary footage from a couple thousand years ago, discovered in a cave in Egypt hidden in an urn of clay. There's been a lot of debate about what he really said. During this season in particular, I think it's important we get the real message out, which is revealed at the end. And, of course, this proves without a doubt that he was white.

Where Ideas Come From

You cook them in a microwave, of course.

Ah-nold Smokes a Joint

California governor and former movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger "terminates" a couple of brain cells in his muscle-bound youth.

Gandhi is Wrong

This startling video reveals the truth!

Ballmer is Microsoft's Howard Dean

Or is Dean the DNC Ballmer? Check out those sweat stains! Hooooooweee! I totally believe this guy threw a chair across the room and said he would f***ing kill Google. I mean, look at his eyes. I'm afraid he would kill me right through my monitor. I don't know if this song has a name, but let's call it the "Developer's Remix." Turn up the volume! (Ballmer is CEO of Microsoft, BTW.)

New Christmas Lights Show Set to Music

The choice of song is a funny one, but damn, I can't stand it: gotta be the most annoying rendition of Jingle Bells I've ever heard. I'd rather listen to the barking dogs version than have to put up with Streisand's version again.

Thanks for the tip, Maurice!

He's Back!

Some beans done filled him with the Holy Spirit all over again. It is Sunday, so let the services begin!

Warning: totally low-brow

More Parkour!

The previous Parkour video here on GVOD was quite the hit. All a' suddens there's a whole mess o' Parkour clips on Google Video! Some are longer than others. I provide the running time for anything longer than five minutes (usually!). Brew some coffee and settle in for some more amazing athletic prowess. J'adore Le Parkour!



The acknowledged inventor and best-known practicioner of Parkour, David Belle, is seen here in an English-subtitled documentary (it's in French).

Running time: 00:10:43



This guy does two things really well: scaling walls and slipping through tight spaces. Awesome to watch. I have a feeling this whole Parkour thing is going to explode from the underground and become a big mainstream meme.



Really, really bad Parkour.



Parkour in Latvia.

Running time: 00:06:40



It's this BBC commercial that introduced a lot of people to Parkour, and to David Belle.



Saved the best one for last. David Belle is being chased by thugs with guns who are also practicioners of Parkour (you may even recognize some of them from the documentary above). Totally action-packed and good stuff!

Wal*Mart Dance Party!

This is something I found out there on the ol' interwebs and I wanted to see it here on my blog. But when I searched Google Video, it wasn't there. So I uploaded it myself. I love the idea of these kids planning this whole thing, sending in "scouts" ahead to set up the radios, and then they all march in for a big dance party in the electronics section! Of course, it gets shut down. God forbid people have a good time in your store. Next thing you know, they might want to buy something.

You can see the original movies and read about how they did it on the Toilet Paper Blog.

Fearless

Here's a longer clip for a lazy weekend afternoon. Some pretty good stunts and action sequences (well, the whole thing is one big action sequence) in this short film. Oh, yeah, and a cameo by... Coolio.

Running time: 00:06:03

Squarepusher Experiment

Squarepusher is an electronic music artist who is friends with (and somewhat similar-sounding to) Aphex Twin. This is one person's video experiment in timing the video's edting to this kind of music's scattershot breakbeats. Freakishly cool stuff. I love this picture so much I'm using it as the bio pic for my Blogger profile.

Where Mini-Crescent Rolls Really Come From

Another bit of completely low-class humor, and DAMN, IS IT FUNNY. I know it says "Image not Available." Click it: it will work. Thanks to my brother for the tip!

Cooking with Svullo

Mario Batali learned everything he knows from this guy.

Crazy Robot Chipmunk Child

Bup be chao mung be nguyen huy means: FREAKIN' INSANE.

A Long Time Ago...

The One. The Only. The Interwebs-Infamous. The Original: uncut, unedited, un-special-effected. Ladies & gentlemen, it's the Star Wars Kid.

America Will Punch You

I originally found this while doing a search for "turkey" from Thanksgiving. When you go to the video page, you will see why it came up in my search results.

UPDATE:
Sorry, forgot to issue a WARNING: Contains the F-word and one naked ass.

Sudden Impact

When he hits the wall, the impact sends shockwaves rippling through his body.

Water Balloons in Zero Gravity

This is totally cool.

RoboFauna

This one really messes with your head. Very, very, cool and creepy mix of live action and stunning photorealistic computer animation. Thanks for the link, Maurice!

Gary Numan: Cars! YES!

When I was like, in fifth grade or so, I saw this on television and it changed me forever. I'm not kidding. From then on, I loved electronic music and I still do today. I still love this song. Enjoy.

Best. Robot. EVAR.

This is without a doubt the best pop/lock robot routine I've seen in a long time. I love how he totally eschews the "breakdancewear" for that totally nerdy getup.

Why there is so much breakdancing on Google Video, we will never know, but there it is.

Get Ready to Fly on the S.S. Janker

Now this looks like fun: couple of yahoos using a snowmobile to tow an ice fishing sled over a big-ass snow ramp! Rock on.

How to Tell if Your Kid is an Idiot

Any Questions?

Touching Animated Short Film

Here's a longer video for the weekend. A stop-motion animated short film of unrequited love and missed cues. I love the details of the sets and the character designs. It is a poignant and sad film, so if you're not into that right now, don't watch it. But it is an excellent little work of animation. I'm not sure what the title is. On the video page it says "Chiec la cuoi cung," and I have no idea what that means. If anyone does, please leave a comment.

Running time: 00:06:29

Heart-Stopping Free Climbing

Dan Osman speedclimbs. Man, did this guy have a pair. Why do I say "did?" Because he died doing what he loved: freeclimbing. You gotta respect that. I can't even get up on a freakin' ladder without getting vertigo. I could've sworn somebody sent me the link to this, but I seem to have lost that info. Terribly sorry. Don't be surprised if catch yourself holding your breath watching this one.

Spaz

Do not let this be the last thing you see before going to bed. It will haunt you. Trust me.

PSAs: Why? Because I CARE

You may be mentally challenged. These people can help. But you have to go to Australia.



The Sims teach us not only how to safely maintain electrical appliances, but also what to do when a perfectly creepy stranger enters your house after you are burnt to a crisp and naked.

Do You Think I'm Sexy?

Either this guy is a horrible Rod Stewart impersonator, or Rod Stewart's really this awful and the guy's spot on. I'm thinking it's more the latter.

And Now a Word from Our Evil Sponsor...

This is a longer video for the weekend, when you don't have to worry about your boss peering over the wall of your cube.

You've come a long way, baby.

Running time: 00:07:09

Interesting Video Usements and More Aphex Twin Than You Probably Want

I happen to think that Richard D. James, a.k.a. Aphex Twin, is a genius. Not sure what Richard would think about these videos by David Firth and co. over at Fat Pie. They do some interesting things with stop-motion animation, time-lapse, and editing/effects, to Richard's music.



Video done to Aphex Twin's Boy Girl Song. Nifty old-fashioned claymation stop-motion animated goodness.



Video work done to Aphex Twin's Analogue Bubblebath, one of his older and slightly more well-known works (at least as far as the obscure electronic music scene goes), which he released under the name AFX.



This one is 4 from Aphex Twin's secondmost-recent album, entitled Richard D. James. This is one of my favorite songs of all time. Some great time-lapse of clouds and other atmospherics in this video.

Pimp My Google Video

Here's a pair of pimpin' parodies:



The first one comes to us from a Canadian group called Cynically Tested. The weird part is, I actually found myself thinking, "Hey, that's kind of cool..."



More than once have I found myself sucked into the spinning turbines of utterly tasteless bling that is MTV Cribs (Missy Eliot and Boy George had the best cribs of all, IMHO). Google Video of the Day presents: Crates, like Cribs but for homeless people.

Gorillaz - Rock The House

Sometimes a good ol' music video just hits the spot. I luv the Gorillaz. If you haven't heard some of Deltron 3030 I recommend it. Anyways, this is Rock The House from their earlier album.

Globalization of Hip Hop

Here are three videos that, seen together, make for an interesting observation on how hip hop is affecting the entire world. One is from South Asia (see this post's comments), one is from the Middle East and one is in the USA's whitebread suburban back yard.



Not urban beatz; turban beatz.



This Israeli hip hop video is actually pretty good (perhaps it says something about my own prejudices that I had assumed it wouldn't be). Sounds like you can rhyme pretty good in Hebrew.



Just remember that many of our granparents were horrified that kids were doing this kind of thing with Elvis and the Beatles. All you racist assholes out there are going to love this one! There's plenty of enlightened hip hop out there. You don't see it on MTV, that's all.

Madonna's Got Skillz

A scene from her old Truth or Dare documentary. Guy Ritchie is a very fortunate man. I have no idea why I'm spelling everything with a Z today.


WARNING: Naughty humor (your favorite kind)

The Difference Between Friends and Drinking Buddies

What I love most about this is the artistic application and their utter unconcern for the couch.

No Pictures, No Worries

Hey, guess what? The Blogger photo uploader/server completely sucks, right now. You think that stops me from posting video links? Observe:

Have some spaghetti, why don't you?

No? Well, then, perhaps you would prefer a nice candy bar?

Google Video of the Day is USTOPPABLE UNSTOPPABLE. And unspellable!

I Luv Paris...

...and this ain't no Paris! And, actually, I really can't stand her. But whatever. To celebrate the return of functionality of Blogger's image hosting, I thought I'd really give you something to look at! A parody of the infamous Paris Hilton burger commercial, which was a very effective commercial, as you can tell by how I can't remember the name of the restaurant it was for.

Worst. Breakdancer. Evar.

The worst case of Lake Woebegone Syndrome I've ever seen! More Wild Irish Rose, STAT!

Men in Coats

These guys do the oldest tricks in the book, proving why they're the oldest tricks in the book: they work. Funny stuff.

Jellyfish & Wolves

Jellyfish are cool.



Wolves are cool.

The Race

Hey, in life there are winners and there are losers. Why don't we get car commercials like this? Stupid FCC.

WARNING: Slightly naughty humor. Also, do not perform this activity stopped in the middle of an intersection.

Here, Fishy Fishy!

"Yeah, nobody ever comes out here. I picked a good spot..."

Orcas are cool.

Creepy "Metamorph-faces"

At first, I thought this video alone was a little eerie, but then I checked out the website on the video page. Apparently, this person does these for money. You submit pictures of your kid and they make them into a "morph." Get this: on the website it says. "A morph is a very special, original gift."

BMX Cam

Mark Yonner in the UK fixed a video camera to various spots on his bmx bike, rode around, captured some very cool shots, and edited the footage with some music. What I really like about this is his eye for certain details, like when you can see his shadow on the pavement as he rides. An all around very pleasant video. His site displays a server errror as of posting, but I'm sure he'll get it cleared up soon and you can pay him a visit.

Awesome Russian Freestyle Acrobatics in Abandoned Buildings

Wow! This guy is amazing: a very Jackie Chan-like romp through abandoned properties in Russia at a breakneck run. Another guy joins him after a few minutes, and he's obviously not as good. There appears to be no safety measures of any kind taken, which makes this pretty dangerous. I don't know if this is a well-practiced routine, or not, but it definitely is worth a watch. This is another longer video for the weekend (though not too long).

Running time: 00:08:24

UPDATE:
This activity is named parkour or, sometimes, freestyle running. I had no idea what "Le Parkour" was, other than a title. Thanks to Kimson for the tip!

Dandy Warhols - Not if You Were the Last Junkie on Earth

I always liked this song. Now I can watch the video anytime I want. And so can you.

Prepare to be Served

"C'mon, Phillipe, let's tow this old junkheap outta here and... Holy shit!"

Spammers

This one definitely belongs in the Just Plain Weird category. Oh, wait... Blogger doesn't have categories.

French Kissing Lessons

Oh, man! I've been doing it all wrong! I didn't know cardboard was involved. Why doesn't anybody ever tell me these things? Wait till my wife finds out...

Things Are Not What They Seem

This one's for all you people who think this site is gay.

Awesome Bike Tricks

Kids, don't try this one at home. Try it out in the street, instead.

Cell Phone Implanted Into Thumb & Pinkie

This chick has a pretty wicked sharp sense of humor. I like that in a woman. Usually when a man says a woman has a sense of humor, he means that she laughs at his stupid jokes. No, this bitch is actually funnier than you. Which you probably find threatening. And I like it when you feel threatened.