Club Jade

Max Page, who played little Darth Vader in the popular Volkswagon commercial, was discharged from the hospital today following open-heart surgery to correct a congenital defect.

Volkswagen’s second Star Wars ad officially debuted during the Super Bowl last night, and although reception in the fandom was lukewarm, (‘last year’s was better’) it seems to have done fairly well with the general audience, and the dog (and his fat suit) even got a small spotlight from the Los Angeles Times.

For instance, San Francisco Chronicle’s Peter Hartlaub named it his second best, behind only the Clint Eastwood Chrysler spot. The Salt Lake Tribune’s Scott D. Pierce named it his #1. Salon’s Mary Elizabeth Williams admits that the spot was “shameless” and not as good as last years, but came out in favor because, well, dogs and Star Wars. The A.V. Club were less impressed, calling the dog “fairly cute” but saying the Star Wars endcap was “buzz insurance”.

But, naturally, democracy reigns, and you can vote for your own favorites on Youtube, Twitter, Facebook and even the NFL themselves, where the VW spot is currently #3.

Making a surprise showing last night was a spot for The Phantom Menace 3D, which was apparently named the “the most-memorable movie spot” in one poll.

VW has posted the extended version of their Game Day commercial. Look for Star Wars about halfway through.

Star Wars and the Super Bowl. Stuart Elliot on the New York Times’ Media Decoder blog has some details of this year’s Volkswagen Star Wars commercial. The kid isn’t returning (guess I need to change the name of our tag) but it does involve a dog named Bolt and a Beetle. The Star Wars bit? Looks like a cantina alien or two may show up. On that note, the Washington Post Style Blog has an interview with Jeff Elmassian, who helped created ‘The Bark Side’ teaser.

One MILLION. The director’s cut of Star Wars Uncut has already seen more than a million views on Youtube, says the BBC.

Gaming. Ben Fritz and Alex Pham take a look at The Old Republic for the L.A. Times‘ Hero Complex.

People (and puns.) Carrie Fisher subbed for Kathie Lee on Today this morning. Luke Perry happened to be the guest, and he revealed that Mark Hamill was the only celebrity he ever asked for a photo with.

At random. Behold the Indiana Jones engagement ring.

This appears to be a tease of sorts for this year’s Super Bowl commercial, if not the commercial itself. Mysterious!

December is nearly here, and with it come the 2011 best-of lists. Our first Star Wars sighting is Volkswagon’s Kid Vader commercial, which makes it to #1 on Adweek’s 10 Best Commercials of 2011.

“The spot, while visually strong, isn’t a wonder of craft or technique. It’s a triumph of fun, unadorned storytelling, which clearly goes a long way,” Tom Nudd writes.

Also making the lists are Snickers’ shark focus group, Cravendale dairy’s viral hit ‘Cats with Thumbs,’ and Eminem’s Chrysler 200 spot.

Adorable nonetheless!

Bloopers! Deleted scenes! Man, this kid is everywhere… (He met James Earl Jones!)

Max Page, who starred in what turned out to be one of last night’s most popular Super Bowl commercials (you can vote here) was on the Today show with his mom this morning.

This cute Volkswagen commercial will debut during the Super Bowl. Now you can do something better with your life that day!