In this day and age of Netflicks®, HD televisions and plush home theaters, Slumdog Millionaire is a rare movie that demands a trip to the theater. The cinematography and sound alone beg to be experienced in a traditional cinema. And the story…such a beautiful, heart-wrenching, elaborate tale…it certainly deserves the respect of “the big screen.”

The plot sounds like a trite tale of rags to riches: poor boy from the slums of Mumbai goes on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and becomes the most successful contestant on India’s version of the show.

But the real story is how the contestant, a young man named Jamal, knows the answers to the questions. Accused of cheating, Jamal must convince the police otherwise. His life unfolds before our eyes as he recounts the situations from which he gleaned each answer. As the questions get harder, Jamal gets older, and his life experiences get more and more tragic.

The story is painful to watch at times. But, surprisingly, the writer manages to weave welcome humor into the storyline. So, while there may be tears, there are laugh-out-loud moments as well. And, the satisfying Bollywood-esque ending can’t help but leave the viewer feeling high.

Proof that I adored this movie: I already purchased the soundtrack. In fact, I am listening to it as I write this. And, once again, I am filled with the same level of emotion that I felt in the theater; a level I don’t think is possible to reach from your couch.

-Joy Wagner

I remember in 8th grade being asked by Mr. Stotts to write a composition on art. Namely, to define it. It was one of those assignments that stuck with me. It remains a question worth revisiting.

At the time I wrote my essay, I remember taking very seriously the notion that art was in many ways serious. I thought it a noble achievement of mankind. Art to me in 8th grade was a lofty expression of talented, even divinely gifted human beings. I thought people like Jackson Pollock were scamming us by flinging paint on a giant canvas.

So how did Jackson Pollock become my favorite artist? Because he redefined art for me. Pollock was able to create images I did not understand well enough to explain, but had significant, lasting meaning anyway. This was his intent. Pollock wanted to end the search for representational elements in his paintings, thus he abandoned naming them and started numbering them instead.

The process is not as impressive as the result.

Jackson Pollock’s Number 5 sold for $140 million. That is the highest price ever paid for a work of art in a private sale. If Number 5 is that valuable it must be art. Right?

No. 5, 1948

Paul Jackson Pollock (January 28, 1912 – August 11, 1956)
Abstract Impressionism
96” X 48”
Sale Price (2006): $140,000,000

-Patrick Strother

As the holiday season drew near, I began to hear a buzz about something called the Holidazzle Parade. As a newcomer to Minnesota, this was a name I did not recognize. When friends and co-workers raved about the wonder that is the Holidazzle, and plenty of media coverage promoted the affair, I began to wonder if all the hype surrounding this event was just that—hype.

However, I was soon faced with the opportunity to experience this seemingly beloved tradition first-hand, as co-workers made plans to attend one evening after work. The holiday spirit was in full swing downtown Minneapolis as a light snow began to fall and families found the perfect spot along Nicollet Avenue. There was a great sense of excitement throughout the crowd as the first sounds of music and bright lights appeared down the street.

As the colorful floats came and went, I couldn’t help but be caught up in the exhilaration of the Holidazzle Parade. Each float had its own unique touch—my favorite being The Wizard of Oz and the wicked witch covered in green lights. Lasting just under 30 minutes, the parade exceeded my expectations. It was a truly dazzling event for both children and adults seeking some holiday cheer.

-Jamie Shubatt

No matter if you’re reading this blog in Minneapolis or Moscow, it’s likely your local media outlets are scaling back on staff. Newspapers have been hit the hardest, as online tools have killed their classified advertising cash cow. But television is also hurting. Just last week, one of the major television stations in town announced layoffs, including on-air talent and those who make editorial decisions.

This has tremendous implications for those of us in the PR game, along with companies seeking coverage of their products or services. Perhaps the biggest challenge is keeping your media lists up-to-date. It used to be that once you developed a list you could trust those contacts to remain with their publication and focused on the same beat for quite some time. And while the various resources for media list development do the best job they can at keeping up with staff changes, nothing beats staying current by always reading, watching and listening to the local news.

As we enter 2009 it will be a good idea update those lists more regularly. How frequently depends on your list and how broad or narrow of an audience you are trying to reach. Mainstream media changes staff much more frequently than at trade publications. Still, as a general rule of thumb, I would recommend cleaning your lists at least once a quarter. After all, the day of that big announcement isn’t the time to learn many of your contacts are no longer there.

-Jeron Udean

After navigating security in the San Jose airport over Thanksgiving, our travel-weary family stopped at the Starbucks kiosk for an energy boost. While waiting to pick up my caffeine-laced latte, a smartly dressed woman walked over and complimented me on the jeans I was wearing. Thrilled, I shared this with my teenage daughter who immediately turned around to assess the value of the comment. “Mom! That is a good one,” she said, “Did you see her Coach bag?”

Far more powerful than a shot of espresso, the accolades from a brand-right stranger extended my battery charge for hours and provided at least momentary teen cool.

-Pat Henning

Thought an Easter egg could only be found in a basket? Think Mouselexia is a disease affecting rodents? Or that Phonesia is a country? Look no further than internet dictionary NetLingo, a site devoted to online jargon—helpful for both marketers and consumers navigating the ever-changing world of Web 2.0.

NetLingo (netlingo.com) has thousands of definitions that explain the online world of business, technology and communication. It also includes one of the largest collections of Internet acronyms and text messaging shorthand found online.

Test your technology vocabulary with this handy quiz:

Answers:
1. H
2. E
3. G
4. F
5. B
6. A
7. C
8. D

-Jenny Silgen