Well, well, well, another week of videos and another struggle to get it down to five. Nonetheless we reckon we’ve cracked it. These videos will make you think, make you laugh and it’s possible that Ryan’s video will make you cry. Also, we found new twins – not even kidding. Just a heads-up though, we do get very analytical and philosophical this week. You have been warned.
LUKE CUTFORTH – A SONG ABOUT A GIRL
If this song came on in a rock club we’d honestly mistake it for Blink 182. It has that quintessential pop punk formula – unimaginative lyrics, predictable guitars and a catchy as hell hook. Whilst this might sound like we’re knocking it, we’re not, because it’s these elements that make it fun and memorable. The video matches the songs silliness and tops it. We have Luke Cutforth ridding around on his skateboard, playing the role of a unruly youth, and Patty Walters in a blonde wig and dress, dancing around like a damsel in distress.
It doesn’t take itself seriously and that’s why we love it. Everything is beautifully shot by Karim Abridged, the music is produced well and Luke comes off like a right teen heartthrob. Either pop punk isn’t dead or Luke has teleported us back to 2002. (Probably the latter, because pop punk is totally dead. Sorry, we didn’t mean to get your hopes up).
HARRISON AND JAY BRADLEY – RED VS BLUE
The Harries aren’t the only British twins on YouTube. And we’re not talking about the Albons either (sorry boys). Let TenEighty introduce you to TwinCoconuts. Harrison and Jay Bradley battle each other in an epic Mortal Kombat inspired short. To be honest, we’re surprised two brothers can choreograph a fight scene so well without actually beating the hell out of each other.
The special effects are really impressive: they don’t over-do it meaning the power attacks and smokey slaps just look really cool. The special effects are so good that for a moment we weren’t sure if it was actually one person fighting himself – y’know, like when Natalie Tran from Community Channel duplicates herself – so we had to check out their other videos to make sure. We’re pretty sure they’re real twins. 70% sure.
LEX CROUCHER – REACTING TO PHOTOS OF LAWNS
Lex Croucher has got so sarcastic that sometimes we can’t even tell if she’s joking. For the first twenty seconds of this video you might be unsure why we’ve picked it. “Oh, it’s just another YouTuber not really talking about much” you might say. “Whats special about this? She’s just jumping on a bandwagon and doing a ‘reacting to xxxx'” you’ll lament. “We’ve seen thousands of videos like this before” you’ll yell before picking up your pitchforks. But – if we’ve interpreted Lex’s intentions correctly – that’s her point too.
In the following minute Lex reacts to pictures of lawns serving up her usual dry sense of humour. Surely this is more than just a video in which a girl shares her opinions on grass, but a stand against a culture which has embraced mundane and meaningless content into its core? No? Ok, sorry.
CUP OF TEAM – FAWLTY TOWERS US REMAKE
There’s a fair chance this video isn’t actually funny unless you’re a fan of Fawlty Towers. Adam and Ben from CupOfTeam adapt the much-loved classic British comedy for US audiences: Basil’s name is pronounced differently, Manuel is from Mexico not Barcelona and instead of ‘The Germans‘ it’s ‘The Taliban.’ Risky stuff there.
If you haven’t seen the show they’re parodying, however, it’s still an interesting watch as it highlights how British humour changes when it heads over the pond. Actors over emphasised their body movements, catchphrases become more frequent, and the laugh-track gets louder. These are just a few of the observations the duo make and act out in this video. You’ll have to watch it to see the rest!
RYAN O’CONNOR – WATERMELON
http://youtu.be/qrLmZ1ovK_I
Ryan‘s videos have always been bleak, but this one may actually be the first truly existential one. Famous philospher Jean-Paul Satre defined existentialism, in his book Existentialism and Humanism, as having four stages: abandonment, anguish, despair and then the positive realisation that everything you do is significant. “Man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world – and defines himself afterwards” as Satre explains. All of these themes, including that glint of hope, are present in Ryan’s latest.
It tells the story of a man who does the same thing every day and his only real communication with anyone is via faceless emails at work. He soon realises that his life is ultimately pointless. And then suddenly there’s an uplifting twist, aided by a watermelon motif. Yeah, deep.
WE’VE GOT A BIT MORE TUBE FOR YOU…
This week saw the return of Chris Kendall, in a parody of The Wolf of Wall Street which involves one of his best impressions. His impression of a pug.
Also, two YouTubers joined in on the YouTube culture discussion started by Louise Glitter a few weeks back, and both have a lot of poignant things to say. Charlie McDonnell shares how some content creators perceive their fans, whilst Hazel Hayes discusses conventions and gives advice on how to approach YouTubers at them.
That’s it for now then. Tell us what you think down in the comments and go follow us on twitter NOW. See, if you follow us on there you can tell us what you want to be in next week’s round-up, thus, making our job easier and possibly averting our own existential crisis.
