If Super Bowl XLVIII bored you as much as it did me, you* *quickly turned your attention to the commercials.
One was from a Maryland native, Raj Suri, who created the "Doritos Time Machine" and won the company's $1 million Super Bowl advertising contest.
I'll start with that one and give you my other top picks:
5) Doritos "Time Machine"
Some commercials cost millions to produce and millions to air. This one was made in eight hours for $200. Suri is a Centennial High School graduate (Ellicott City), and his entire family lives in the Howard County area. He's in Arizona now. It was clever and cute from the start, bringing a good little chuckle. Good acting by "Mr. Smith" and the kid too.
4) Coca-Cola "It's Beautiful"
Ahhhh, good ole' Americana. "America the Beautiful" being sung in different languages captured my attention. Coca-Cola has long taken a romantic, worldly view in its commercials since the '70s "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing." Beautiful cinematography as well.
3) Microsoft "Empowering"
This Super Bowl was full of commercials that tugged at the heart. This one was the best, and featured former NFL player Steve Gleason. Bonus points because that could have just as easily been our own O.J. Brigance, who is also living with ALS and communicating thanks to the same technology.
2) Hyundai "Dad's Sixth Sense"
How many times have your parents' saved you from near death? This commercial had just the right amount of comedy, tenderness and a message that stuck with you. The dad taking the bat to the gut sends it over the top. It would have taken the cake, and added more laughs, had the son AND dad been distracted by an attractive woman walking down the sidewalk.
1) TurboTax "Love Hurts"
Maybe it's because I was feeling the same way about watching a non-Ravens Super Bowl. Maybe it's because I've sat by and watched the popular kid dance with my girl. Either way, I found the commentary quite clever. And it actually made me not so rue the day when I sit down with my W2's.
