Assignment 2-2: Icon Analysis

Three icons I chose to do an analysis on are Jim Carrey, Adam Sandler, and Nike. The first two icons who are actors are best known for their stand-up comedian acts in their movies. I have chosen to write about them for my icon analysis assignment. These icons make a huge difference in the World today. Who knows, of these two great comedians may become legends one day. My last icon, Nike, is a huge seller for athletes all around the World. Nike has been around since 1959 which started in Phil Knight’s trunk.

Jim Carrey is a stand-up comedian who is best known for his multiple characters. He was chosen by the People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. Jim Carrey did win nine MTV awards in 2001 setting the record for the most MTV movie awards won by any person (Biography for Jim Carrey, 2009). Jim was ranked number five in Star TV's Top 10 Box Office Stars of the 1990s in 2003 (Biography for Jim Carrey, 2009). Lastly, Jim Carrey had been nominated for five Golden Globes but was recognized for his comedic performances.

Jim Carrey's comedian movies include Bruce Almighty, Liar Liar, Fun with Dick and Jane, Dumb and Dumber, Me, Myself & Irene, The Mask, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. The Number 23 and The Cable Guy were two of Jim Carrey's non-comedian movies. Both of these movies dealt with obsession and insanity. After reading about Jim Carrey's ups and downs with his movies, he still remains the best comedian.

Back in 1994, Jim Carrey was seen in the movie Ace Ventura: Pet Detective where his extensively physical brand of humor came into play. Another movie called, The Mask, was a test to see if Carrey could continue on with his hilarious features. I have watched every single movie that Jim was in except for his earlier movies. I will still always look up to Jim Carrey as my role model because the man sure does know how to cheer people up.

Adam Sandler is best known for his stand-up comedies as well. I have seen him in movies like Big Daddy, Happy Gilmore, Bedtime Stories, The Water boy, and The Wedding Singer. Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, The Water boy, Big Daddy, and Little Nicky all included juvenile antics and some offensive stunts. However, Adam Sandler was able to keep his fans laughing. Adam owns a production company called Happy Madison Productions (Adam Sandler (I) - Biography, 2009).

Adam has continued to vary his work from broad comedies to more weighty material (Adam Sandler - Biography, 2009). Like the remake to The Longest Yard, he played as a convict who organizes a football game between inmates and the guards. The following year, Sandler played an architect who discovers a remote control that gives the power to fast-forward or rewind his own life in Click. Adam earned some positive reviews for his performance with Variety calling him "compelling" and "excellent." His return over-the-top comedy he is most famous for, where he produced and starred in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (Adam Sandler - Biography, 2009).

During the past one or two, Sandler served as a producer for The House Bunny, which was about a sorority house comedy starring Anna Faris. Bedtime Stories, Sandler's character was to tell his niece and nephew bedtime stories, which came true. For this year and next, Adam will star in a comedy called "Funny People" and "Grown Ups" which is set to be released in 2010. In addition to his acting, Sandler has made several comedy albums Adam first Grammy-nominated was "They're All Gonna Laugh At You", which became an instant his and expanded his fan base among young people through offensive songs and sketches (Adam Sandler - Biography, 2009).

I have chosen Adam Sandler as my second icon because he likes to star and produce a variety of movies. Adam is my second favorite comedian because most of his movies stick strictly with comedy where Jim Carrey's jump around a little bit. In the future, I hope Adam Sandler receives a lot of recognitions for his work.

My last icon I am going to analyze is Nike. Nike is a winged goddess of victory according the Greek mythology (History). A Greek would say, “When we go to battle and win, we say it is NIKE.” Nike is the twentieth century footwear that lifts the world’s greatest athletes to new levels of mastery and achievement (History). The NIKE ‘swoosh’ embodies the spirit of the winged goddess who inspired the most courageous and chivalrous warriors at the dawn of civilization (History).

Nike machine began as a small distributing outfit located in the trunk of Phil Knight's car (History). Knight's brainchild grew to become the shoe and athletic company that would come to define many aspects of popular culture and myriad varieties of 'cool.' Nike emanated from two sources: Bill Bowerman's quest for lighter, more durable racing shoes for his Oregon runners, and Knight's search for a way to make a living without having to give up his love of athletics (History). Bowerman coached track at the University of Oregon where Phil Knight ran in 1959. Bowerman’s desire for better quality running shoes clearly influenced Knight in his search for a marketing strategy (History).

In 1963, Phil Knight traveled to Japan on a world-tour, filled with the wanderlust of young men seeking a way to delay the inevitable call of professional life. Seemingly on a whim, Knight scheduled an interview with a Japanese running shoe manufacturer, Tiger – a subsidiary of the Onitsuka Company. Knight presented himself as a representative of an American distributor interested in selling Tiger shoes to American runners (History). In 1964, Knight sold over $8,000 worth of Tigers and placed an order for more (History). After cresting $1 million in sales and riding the wave of the success, Knight devised the Nike name and trademark Swoosh in 1971 (History).

Nike maybe the most popular brand of athletic shoes but there are other companies like Adidas, Reebok, and New Balance who are competitors. I own a pair of Nike running shoes, cleats for softball, and sandals. All three of these items are the most comfortable shoes I have bought to wear. I have tried Adidas and Reebok but they lack comfort. New Balance is another comfortable shoe to wear when you are considering walking a lot.

References
Adam Sandler - Biography. (2009). Retrieved August 27, 2009, from tiscali: http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biography/artist/adam-sandler/biography/142
Adam Sandler (I) - Biography. (2009). Retrieved August 27, 2009, from IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001191/bio
Biography for Jim Carrey. (2009). Retrieved August 27, 2009, from IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000120/bio
History. (n.d.). Retrieved August 27, 2009, from Nike History and Timeline: http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CLASS/am483_97/projects/hincker/nikhist.html