Today’s clip isn’t exactly film-related, but it does tie into Kevin’s list from earlier about unsuccessful movie prophecies. Plus, its title somewhat references Back to the Future, and anything paying tribute to BTTF immediately sparks my interest (this tie-in may have even influenced my vote for president). The comedy short comes from FunnyorDie.com and stars Paul Scheer of Human Giant (and Bride Wars, just to make this more movie-related) in two roles. One role, really, but its divided into two parts, “Alex” and “Future Alex.” And the whole thing is a play on the idea of fashions of the future.

Anyway, the video made me think of the Oscars’ usual ignorance of science-fiction costumes, particularly of designs for films set in the future (meaning Star Wars‘ win in the category was apparently okay). Why wasn’t Jean-Paul Gaultier nominated for The Fifth Element? And what about Milena Canonero for A Clockwork Orange? Of course, even more disappointing than those snubs was the failure to nominate Joanna Johnston for Back to the Future Part II, a film so visionary in its futuristic fashions that fans campaigned to have Nike produce a pair of sneakers similar to those seen in the movie. Maybe we won’t have self-drying clothes in 6 years, but what a great concept and what a great execution of that idea in Marty McFly’s jacket. Much better work than anything seen in Driving Miss Daisy, that’s for sure.

If only we could go back in time and change the Academy’s mind.

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Did you know that legalizing gay marriage could turn the economy around? Well, don’t take my word for it, but Neil Patrick Harris presents a pretty convincing argument…in song. He and a whole slew of big name comedic actors, including Jack Black, John C. Reilly, Allison Janney, Maya Rudolph, Andy Richter, Margaret Cho, Kathy Najimy, Rashida Jones and Craig Robinson, have united for an exclusive video from FunnyorDie.com that functions as a hilarious and tuneful protest of Proposition 8. And the songs are well-written too, since the whole thing was conceived and written by five-time Oscar-nominated composer Marc Shaiman. Hairspray director/choreographer Adam Shankman directed it.

In additon to supporting a cause, the video provides another surprising reason for me to regain interest in Jack Black. He’s terrific as Jesus here, and thanks to other recent online performances, such as his silent turn as Ben Franklin, I have a newfound enjoyment of his talents. Maybe he can somehow limit his career to the web and I can ignore all the obnoxious films he’s made in the last decade.

Anyway, check out the Prop 8 musical after the jump.

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It’s great when a person or trade publication can laugh at him or itself, and Variety is exhibiting good spirits today by showcasing a new video from FunnyorDie.com that pokes fun at its usage of industry-defining slang terms. The trade is well-known for using such jargon as “Gotham” and “Oz” to refer to New York City and Australia, respectively. And all of us who read Variety on a daily basis have come to accept terms like “actioner,” “boffo” and “pic” enough that we use them in our own writing. Variety even has its own “slanguage” dictionary on the publication’s website.

But if Variety is already forthright about its coining of terms, is it really necessary to lampoon the practice? Much of the trade’s invented lingo has completely entered American lexicon, and the Oxford English Dictionary features more than 20 terms originating in Variety’s pages, including punch line, show biz and wow (as used as a verb). So, even though the idea behind this sketch is minimally amusing because much of Variety’s slanguage is actually quite silly, the terms made up for the video are not near as funny as some the trade’s real creations over the years, like “shim” (a ’70s-coined slang for transvestite) and “hoofer” (dancer).

For a much funnier parody of a writers meeting revisit the old “Writers of Lost” sketch from SuperDeluxe.com.