Anyone seen these Direct TV commercials with Ben Stein and Bill Paxton? They're in their older movies (Bueller for Stein; Twister for Paxton) and in the middle of the scene, they turn to the camera and do their schtick.

I was just curious, how did they do this? I'm not a techno wizard so I was interested to know (especially the Stein one). Also, are there any others I may have missed?

I've only seen the Paxton one. It's quite convincing, considering the guy doesn't look like that anymore (compare to Big Love).

There was a Blockbuster one of a similar nature with Pat Morita (before he died) re-creating a scene from The Karate Kid. The audio (they used a couple of clips of him from the film mixed with his new lines) gave the illusion away.

These DirectTV clips are much better in that regard. They've managed to match both the audio and video quality of the older movies with the newer footage.

Somebody up there loves you ... DirecTV!

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SHAME on Ben Stein and SHAME on Bill Paxton for being corporate sellouts.

So what's next? Maybe the corporate shills at DirectTV can crap on the final scene from Casablanca and CGI Humphrey Bogart turning to the camera and saying, "Little does she know the *real* reason I gave her those letters of transit is so I could stay here and watch DirectTV, sweetheart."

Every time I see one of those commercials pissing on the original movies, I want to puke.

Dude, it's Twister.

Ben Stein hasn't exactly been a recluse when it comes to shilling products and himself, has he?

I think they're clever, and the one you described would be a hit.

Then again, I didn't see anything wrong with the Pepsi-Sparticus ad from a few years back either.

Isn't there an Austin Powers one with Mini Me?

So they changed a scene from Twister and Ferris Bueller...Who the hell cares?

Are you worried that it might tarnish the memories of Twister for you?

I think these are really good. I don't see them THAT often though, oddly enough. They need to do more of them, though.

some of these have been uninspired, but one i just saw and loved was David Spade in a clip from Black Sheep along with Chris Farley. i think it was nice bit of nostalgia to see Farley.

this and the Sigourney Weaver in Alien were real good.

that was Tommy Boy, not Black Sheep

i knew i should have gone with my instinct. always get them confused.

I didn't like the Direct TV commercial with the Tommy Boy scene. It was sort of eerie watching Farley and at the same time, I don't think he would have done if he was alive today.

but he's dead, so use the hell out of his likeness!

PS - nice 40 month bump

That David Spade commercial is kind of creepy.

When it hits me that Spade is doing newly recorded footage, I see Farley in his underwear, dead and bloated, on top of a big pile of cocaine.

I read this thread from the beginning and chuckled when I noticed a new member in 2006 use his/her only post to bash these commercials.