comment #1

mrchriswell says ...

This things brought me to tears. I can't even explain why.

comment #2

Josh Massey says ...

Assuming it's the same "around the world" video (damn iPhone!), it's a helluva lot older than June '08. I saw it roughly two years ago.

comment #3

mlear says ...

Don't care about the music, this video made me smile. Glad I've seen it. It actually moved me to post. But how long will it be before he sells out and we see some lame AT & T ad with this video? Hope it never comes to that.

comment #4

Fien Print says ...

Josh -- I believe you saw an earlier incarnation of the video two years ago?

mlear -- He's already sold out. This video and his travels were funded by Stride gum. It's not an overt commercial, but he's heavily promoed on the Stride homepage.

comment #5

T. S. Idiot says ...

Where exactly does one go to sell out? Is there a waiting list?

comment #6

Joshua Mooney says ...

Aw, man! I smell a movie, and it doesn't smell good. That said, I have to admire anything this obsessional, good-hearted and goofy. Although the corporate-sponsorship angle undercuts that a good bit. And nevermind Matt's stockiness-- the guy's carbon footprint must be huge!

The Giant's Causeway shot freaked me out for a moment, and then I got it: Houses of the Holy album cover. "Dancin' Days are here again" indeed. I see Jack Black as Matt.

comment #7

J. Huff says ...

This is the perfect video to show to people who think they know how to make movies. This thing has it all:

1. A funny initial catch.
2. Engenders surprise when the viewer realizes all the places he turns up.
3. Creates a new paradigm at just the right time when when more and more people turn up in the video.
4. A sense of wonder and longing when you see kids from all parts of the world catching on to the same thing.
5. Just when you think it's getting old, something new and unexpected comes at you (the Korean demilitarized zone, the Zero-G dance).
6. It knows when to end.

A lot of movies would be better following that pattern.

comment #8

George Prager says ...

About as exciting/entertaining as the California Raisins.

comment #9

calraigh says ...

This video brought Gawker to it's knees. Such is the power of Matt.

comment #10

Josh Massey says ...

I don't think a sponsor's involvement sullies anything - because the video would have been impossible without significant funding from somewhere.

I just love that Jeff threatens to ban somebody from calling him "old" a few days ago, but feels supremely comfortable slapping a negative label on anybody with a waistline over 34 inches.

comment #11

thevisceral says ...

All that, and he's fucking Matt Damon.

comment #12

CleftClips says ...

This site (http://fishel.tumblr.com/) has a similar thing going on, but much better dancing and songs.

comment #13

quitstaringatme says ...

Ok, there is absolutely no way that Jeff is not just trolling for posts by calling the Where In The Hell Is Matt guy fat. There is no way that could be anybody's reaction to this video without having bulimia.

comment #14

Joshua Mooney says ...

Massey said: "I just love that Jeff threatens to ban somebody from calling him "old" a few days ago, but feels supremely comfortable slapping a negative label on anybody with a waistline over 34 inches."

Dude: Matt's not just "over 34" in the waistine-- he's 37 if he's an inch, and swiftly headed for the dreaded 4-0 (although not that swiftly-- not with that bulk). And please don't play the "big-boned" card, yeah? Next thing you know, Matt'll be sitting next to you on an airplane. Jeff''s right: We've got to nip this Robert Earl Hughes-wanna-be in the bud. Dance on, fat-boy!

comment #15

Celtia says ...

Yes, I'd far rather have film ads sponsor some guy to sit on his arse kvetching on a bitchy blog than have a guy use a bit of dough to create a rather sweet video valentine to the joys of grungey travel (the gum money didn't put him in bizclass) and connection.
Dance on, Matt

comment #16

zinnj says ...

Y'know, it's pretty amazing to me that someone of Jeff's "look" (ragged, unkempt, slightly slovenly) can even muster up the courage -- not to mention the audacity -- to start calling folks like this dancing kid a future "moose."

Regardless of the fact that Wells is one of the last people on god's green earth who should be criticizing the appearance of others, his name-calling just smacks of desperation and sadness. Perhaps it's time, Jeff, to realize there might be something to be gained in not always seeking out (or, in this case, making up) the negative in a story. Even if Matt is a bit stocky (as opposed to your, ahem, Adonis-like physique), he's certainly created for himself the opportunity and good fortune to experience more than most of us ever will.

Of course, this comment is probably too "girly" for you, so I'll stop there.

comment #17

CinemaPhreek says ...

You know, I'm glad you posted this and all, but HOLY SHIT! can't you for once just admit something is effective and cheer-inducing without all the fucking qualifiers about "girl music" and future moose-hood?

Are you so afraid they are going to take away your hip-license or Kool Kid Kard if don't throw out a few cynical & bitchy comments (and talk about the pot calling the Poland kettle black just the other day)?

Me, I watched it, smiled a lot and even got a little misty-eyed when the whole "We Are the World" vibe subtlety snuck up on me.

comment #18

Zac Bertschy says ...

I've been a fan of Jeff's for like a decade and this nasty judgmental bullshit that seems to accompany every other post these days is getting really damn tiresome.

Countdown to an unflattering photo of Barack Obama where his shirt makes him look like he gained 3 pounds and the ensuing "hm, another few years and he'll be a pillsbury doughboy jabba!" post from Jeff.

comment #19

NotImpressedYet says ...

"There is no way that could be anybody's reaction to this video without having bulimia."

Posted by quitstaringatme at July 11, 2008 11:07 AM

Amen.

There's a way to intelligently rail against obesity in America. This ain't it.

Jeffrey, these "fat" postings are just plain ugly and meanspirited. They don't reflect well on you as a person. Give it up.

comment #20

FilmTurtle says ...

Jeff, I've been following your career for many years. I respect and admire your passion for film. But this kind of bullsh*t is why I've stopped visiting regularly. Remember that fantastic quote you love about Dave Poland (I think you wrote it), the one about how Jesus could alight on the South Lawn of the White House and Poland would dismiss it, saying (paraphrased), "What, no one expected this? His coming has been prophesied for centuries." Yeah, you've become that guy.

comment #21

George Prager says ...

Buncha whining crybabies on this thread! CinemaPhreek getting "misty-eyed", Criswell brought to tears, made me smile, Creates a new paradigm...
Suck it up!

comment #22

Josh Massey says ...

All I know is that if I traveled the world, I'd come back a good 50 pounds heavier than when I left. Too much good damn food around this globe that I can't experience at home.

comment #23

Adonis says ...

I echo Mr. Chris' first comment: I really found this rather moving (no tears, but still, very poetic).

And you, Wells, have become an absolute joke of a self-loathing fat person. You clearly were once a decently handsome man who years, neglect, and otherwise have made just another fat, joe schmo. And you CAN'T stand it :).

Seriously, stop giving fat warnings to every pudgy guy you see.

comment #24

Adonis says ...

Actually, does Wells have a Facebook page? We should make a fan page, and then all the posters can have names and bodies. We really should do this.

comment #25

CinemaPhreek says ...

Poor George Prager, so afraid of those suspected homosexual urges he panics about videos unmanning him to the world.

No, the rest of us had the balls to admit that has fully mature grown men we don't have hearts of stone and our souls need to be replenished with beauty from time to time. You're the pansy afraid of a little waterworks.

You should check out an interview one of the Marines who invaded Baghdad and is now in "Generation Kill" had to say about the most terrifying thing he has ever done was acting because of how he had to open himself up (ditto for stunt woman Zoe Bell discussing acting in DEATH PROOF).

comment #26

Edward says ...

I think Obama needs to name Matt an Under Secretary of State at the very least. A dancing white guy bringing different cultures to come together to have fun. One world dancing. Not a bad concept.

comment #27

George Prager says ...

I love it when men cry (or try not to cry). Did you ever see the Journey "VH1 Behind the Music"? Jonathan Cain talking about the kid with cystic fibrosis that the band visited the day before he died, then breaking down ("It's not fair...for a little kid to go through so much pain!") I loved that! It made ME cry. Some chubby spoiled rich kid dancing his doughy white ass around the world not so much. I'll bet CinemaPhreek does some of his best crying over Gilmour Girls episodes. BOOO HOOOO!

comment #28

George Prager says ...

Here's an interesting juxtaposition. In this scene from RED DAWN, you got Patrick Swayze and Charlie Sheen bawling and weeping like pussies and C. Thomas Howell doing the trying to keep it all in-eyes bugging out-holding his breath thing. By the end even Harry Dean Stanton is embarrassed.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ooy0GFMYafY

Fags.

comment #29

Edward says ...

There are guys - and I'm proud to be one - who do occasionally enjoy something like the Gilmour Girls or The Devil Wears Prada or even 27 Dresses. One of my all time favorite films is Amalie and I liked Titanic too, so sue me.

comment #30

George Prager says ...

I liked AMALIE and TITANIC. And INTERIORS.

comment #31

Josh Massey says ...

Finally got to see it once I got home. It is indeed new, and even better than the one two years ago. How a person can watch that and have an immediate reaction to go after the guy's weight is beyond me.

And yes, mine eyes did tear.

comment #32

George Prager says ...

"There is nothing more boring than a well-traveled person."
Don DeLillo Great Jones Street

I guess the fattest people in the world are in Brisbane.

comment #33

gruver1 says ...

Wells to Haters, Stone-Throwers, etc.: I'm sorry for mentioning that Matt will one day be a moose. He will be, no question, but I'm still sorry for bringing it up. I shouldn't rain on beautiful alpha. I watched this video a third time just now and really loved it, and I realize I should have just said that initially and left well enough alone. Well, wait a minute, the guy's chunky physique does argue with all that vigorous dancing, dammit. But I'm sorry for bringing a sore subject up with the HE readership, many of whom, I'm guessing, are probably sensitive about moose-ism for a reason. This is a beautiful little piece. I like it alot. I'm glad I finally watched it today.

comment #34

Adonis says ...

Thanks for the mea culpa, Wells.

FWIW, I'm formal football player (Free Safety) and still have a six-pack... I dissent on you calling out fat people because it seems like a cry for help on your part. Like maybe if you call enough people chunky you'll get back down the weight you were when you were my age (26).

Doesn't seem healthy...

comment #35

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