Don't Be Michael Cera

Image by Dan Coulter via Flickr

This is part movie review, part business advice.

I just watched the latest Michael Cera flick, "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World." I never read the original comic, but based on what I have heard- it is fairly faithful.

I enjoyed the movie immensely. It's original with it's throwback "pow-whams" like the 60s Batman TV show.

The story is not particularly original but the implementation is. Definitely worth the watch.

I was however disappointed to see Michael Cera (who looked more like an alien with a bad haircut in this) playing the same character.

I truly believe that Cera is not an actor now and that he just shows up to a movie set and does whatever the director tells him to do. He is not acting. He is just doing the same thing in everything he has been in.

You probably saw him first in the TV show "Arrested Development" like me. He was great as the milquetoast character trying to get with his cousin.

His next major role was the 2007 movie "Superbad." Again, another milquetoast character. The epitome (or so I thought) of this characterization came that year in Juno. His Paulie Bleeker character I thought was just him again from "Arrested Development."

Each time you see this "character" you have to wonder why any woman would have any interest in him. Some might suggest he is a lovable loser such as Charlie Brown, but most of the time there are irredeemable qualities to the character being played.

In "Arrested Development," he persists in trying to be with his cousin.

In "Superbad," he bails on his best friend.

In "Juno," he rejects the girl.

In "Scott Pilgrim," he cheats on both girls of interest.

So not only is he a beyond bland, but he isn't the best friend or boyfriend in the world.

People are human- you can forgive certain things, but being bland and boring isn't it.

Cera may not be this boring "character" in real life, but I find it hard to believe considering virtually everything you have ever seen him in he is playing the same functional person.

You may also enjoy watching this "lovable loser," but don't be him. In anything.

In business, being so one note will hurt you, not developing new ideas it will kill you, and in writing, it can hurt.

Sure, some people want the reliability of the sameness of things, but if you play in such a one note fashion, you will not grow, learn, and try new things.

Tomorrow, who should you be like- until then who is the "anti-Michael Cera" to you?

Slow Death or Rebirth for Myspace?

Are we really watching the slow inevitable death of Myspace? With the integration with Facebook complete and the push towards what appears to be a mobile only function , isn't it time to call this one? One report says that Myspace is making $200 million less this year. They are functionally giving up on Myspace Music , which was always their bread and butter. Without the music tie in, why would people BOTHER with Myspace? I'm talking about it because my wife's band has used every medium known to mankind to promote themselves online and Myspace has been nothing but dead weight from the very beginning. Only bands and their most ardent fans go there. The rest are on Facebook. There is talk of selling Myspace, but who in their right mind would consider it? This will have some interesting implications for bands down the road. Many use Myspace as their de facto website, just pushing their domain name onto the customizable site. Now apparently, Reverbnation , a North Carolin

Being a Parent

While back, I wrote a post on Father's day about being a father and how being a parent is a job. I wistfully look back as I look forward to another school year quickly approaching and the evidence of my "work" is becoming less and less my handiwork. Our youngest has just moved on to middle school. Josh has moved into high school and the oldest has graduated from high school and about "start" her life. We've had a tacit arrangement with the kids. We do NOT want boomerang kids coming back to haunt us. So they have always been told, they are staying with us until they are REALLY ready to go out and that includes the joke that college has become. Sadly, despite the fact that I have spent a good chunk of my career working in higher education, I know that it is a folly to think that sending a child off to college is preparing them for much other than to have a lifetime of loans. Thankfully, Amanda has gotten the message. She has a plan to go to local c

Check out my appearance on the The Toddcast Podcast

Click and watch the podcast recording of my appearance on the Toddcast Podcast Such a fun time!

Todd Lyden

Search This Blog