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Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Brendan Fraser / Film / Mercury When Animals Placards Attack!

Posted by Erik Henriksen on Wed, Apr 28, 2010 at 3:06 PM

Look. It's been a rough week. Here at Mercury HQ, we got a paper out on the streets—but we'll admit, it was a challenge to do so. Creativity-wise, this week just wasn't a real high point for us.

What makes that fact even harder to admit, though, is this: Apparently, across town at Willamette Week HQ, they went above and beyond their usual routine and had a super creative week!

Long story short: It was a bad week for us, it was a good week for them, and before we knew what was even happening, OUR TWO PAPERS ENDED UP WITH EERILY SIMILAR PLACARDS. Both use the tired phrase "when animals attack" to tout our respective papers' movie reviews of Birdemic: Shock and Terror and Furry Vengeance. Behold:

This weeks placards: EERILY SIMILAR.
  • This week's placards: EERILY SIMILAR.

Now, before Ben Waterhouse starts accusing us of placard plagiarism, we'd like to get one thing on the record: We did not steal the idea for our placard from the Willamette Week. This is a matter of coincidence, and nothing more. And let's be honest: The idea for both placards? Pretty goddamn unoriginal. We could've done better and they could've done worse—but what's done is done, and now the streets of Portland are blighted with an unfortunate coincidence.

HOWEVER! Just because this is a coincidence doesn't mean it can't also be a contest! So, a question: Which "when animals attack" placard is less unoriginal? Here are closer looks at each—study them carefully, Blogtown denizens, then cast your vote. Voting ends at noon tomorrow!

Willamette Week placard: Features birds attacking a gas station.
  • Willamette Week placard: Features birds attacking a gas station.

Portland Mercury placard: Features birds attacking Brendan Fraser.
  • Portland Mercury placard: Features birds attacking Brendan Fraser.

WHICH "WHEN ANIMALS ATTACK" PLACARD IS LESS UNORIGINAL?

 

Comments (15) RSS

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1
I voted for Portland Mercury because the Willamette Week fucked up by writing "When Animals Attack" instead of "When BIRDS Attack" and… wait. We did too?
Crap.
Can I change my vote?
Posted by Wm. Steven Humphrey on April 28, 2010 at 3:17 PM · Report
2
I voted for the SFWeekly BUT I DID NOT WANT TO*.

*hidden subtext comment
Posted by kiala on April 28, 2010 at 3:30 PM · Report
3
Font choices for the Willy are really uninspired. Woo... Sans Sarif with an outline. Whoop-de-fucking-doo.

But they both suck. As newspaper. And all their employees too. And what else?

Just kidding. I love you all equally. Except for Steve. I love Steve more.
Posted by Graham on April 28, 2010 at 3:45 PM · Report
4
It's also note worthy that both papers were 64 pages. Although, The Mercury has more ads. Because it's better.
Posted by RT on April 28, 2010 at 3:54 PM · Report
5
Yours is funnier. No surprise.
BUT they do have an "article" on Furry Vengeance page 53. I'll just say both fail with equal aplomb.
Posted by Abusive on April 28, 2010 at 4:04 PM · Report
6
Why doesn't theirs have an exclamation point? Is a deadly animal attack not that important?
Posted by ezra on April 28, 2010 at 4:06 PM · Report
7
They have one of the most memorable covers of the year this week with a naked Tom Hughes. That earns their unrelated "animals attack" flyer 10 bonus points. Unless your cover really brings its A game tomorrow, I think you lose this one.
Posted by Blabby on April 28, 2010 at 4:12 PM · Report
8
Blabby, it looks from here like the Merc's cover features some sort of crazy building.

Erik, you should have spiced up that tired phrase by turning it into a question. And then answering it.

"When do animals attack? RIGHT NOW!"
Posted by ROM on April 28, 2010 at 4:28 PM · Report
9
WW ftw since they used a period instead of the obvious exclamation and didn't pander to people who don't know it's a movie review
Posted by RyanZ on April 28, 2010 at 4:30 PM · Report
10
I voted for the Mercury only due to WW's blatant omission of Brendan Frasier
Posted by Beer Batter on April 28, 2010 at 4:51 PM · Report
11
I'm with Beer Batter on this one.
Posted by Blanders on April 28, 2010 at 4:59 PM · Report
12
I most protest the lack of stingrays attacking Brendan Fraser who is obviously channeling Steve Irwin
Posted by mars on April 28, 2010 at 5:38 PM · Report
13
I wouldn't not say the Mercury cover isn't less original, but I wouldn't not say it's not not more original either.

However, the Mercury placard has an eagle, which is the symbol of democracy.

I didn't vote.
Posted by Inductee on April 28, 2010 at 5:56 PM · Report
14
I think that WW box has gang affiliation.
Posted by Williams, Jay on April 28, 2010 at 6:10 PM · Report
15
Oh, dangit - I missed the double negative. "LESS unoriginal." Now I've wasted my vote.

Can someone explain the Mercury cover? What is that thing?
Posted by Reymont on April 29, 2010 at 11:17 AM · Report

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