Warning: Foul language can be heard in the video above.

Earlier this month, I shared David Lynch's thoughts about watching movies on cell phones -- something he's such an uber, super fan of. This, however, wasn't the first mini Lynchian rant about technology and media. Cinema Blend has thrown up the above clip, which was filmed last year during the AFI Dallas Film Festival. After a ridiculously long delivery of the question -- how does Lynch feel about product placement? -- the filmmaker shortly, and succinctly answers. Ah, he makes me smile.

I can only hope more of these come out of the woodwork, or that Lynch makes some more himself. He could weigh in on sexuality, special effects, boozing celebs, Oscar nominations and winners, blowing budgets...

What would you like to hear him rant about?

When it comes to fashion, women in their 70s aren't the first that come to mind as being trendsetters, even if they are royalty. Regardless, a new clothing craze has been influenced by something worn by Queen Elizabeth II, or at least something worn by Helen Mirren in her portrayal of Her Majesty in the recent film The Queen. The main article being sought is a Barbour wax jacket called the Beaufort, though other featured garments such as a quilted Liddesdale jacket are also in demand by fans of the film.

I'll be honest that after enjoying The Queen, the only product left in my mind was possibly Range Rover, and not because I wanted to go out and buy one (Elizabeth's gets stuck in a stream), but thanks to this story, I've realized that even my noticing of brands onscreen is indicative of how influential film's may be with product placement, whether blatant or casual. I don't know if I've ever wanted to run out and get something featured in a movie (not counting things that don't exist, of course), so I can't offer any personal examples, but I'm curious to know if any of you readers have purchased something you saw onscreen. Perhaps someone has been inspired by the menswear listed by GQ Magazine in their list of 25 greatest male movie fashions? Even as a halloween costume idea?

Anyway, as long as she's already a great model for their clothes, maybe Mirren could wear something sporty from Barbour (unfortunately they don't make gowns) at the Oscars? I hear she's definitely going to be getting an invite.

Related Queen:

Kim's review of The Queen
Erik's review of The Queen
The Queen press conference at the NYFF
Helen Mirren Oscar front-runner for Queen?

Like pretty much everyone else on earth, the members of the Screen Actors and Writers Guilds are crazy sick of product placement. Amen, brothers and sisters - amen. They even staged a protest yesterday, outside of a hotel where agents and producers were huddling with advertisers, though no one bothered to invite us regular joes. According to union heads, their complaints hinge on studio-advertiser deals that force writers to create scripts containing pitches for products, and force the poor actors to read said scripts. Oh, and they're also (of course), worried about the public, who might be stupid enough to think that Lorelai Gilmore is not only a real person, but also really loves Starbuck's. Some of which, you know, sounds pretty reasonable on the face of it, right? I mean, reading crappy scripts is bad enough, but when you have to shill for MasterCard, it just gets humiliating.

The only problem with SAG's and WGA's righteous indignation, however, is that not much of what they're whining about has anything to do with them. In fact, the two groups reportedly complain most about the out of control product placement on reality TV, a medium with which they have no involvement whatsoever (assuming, that is, that they don't show up on The Surreal Life). Hmm. So what's the problem again?

[image from 8bit Joystick]

For a variety of reasons (basic human decency obviously not among them), product placement is unusual in animated films. Among other things, it takes so long to make most animation that a company's advertising goals or products could change completely between the film's inception and its release. In addition, since animation is often used to make films set in fantastic worlds, product placement tends to be pretty damn hard - I mean, what are you going to advertise in, say, Shrek? Or The Incredibles? Thankfully for all of us, the answer so far has been "not a damn thing."

Curious George, however, is changing things. Yes, it's a sweet, innocent movie, aimed solidly at the preschool set. But five-year-olds have parents, dammit, and they're trapped, looking at the screen for 90 minutes - why not throw some Dole logos up there, for their viewing pleasure? Or, say, an animated Volkswagen Touareg? Maybe a US Postal Service bag or two? Yep, they're all there. Oh, and if you happen to buy a Dole banana any time soon, it's likely the thing will feature one of a million stickers telling you to see the movie. Seriously. I think the world is coming to an end.